Lord, What Would You Have Me To Do?

Acts 9 records the story of Paul’s conversion.
It’s an amazing story from start to finish.
To think where he was and where he ended… the canyon between the two! It is remarkable!

But here’s something else I see.

As Paul (who was still Saul of Tarsus at this time) was approaching Damascus, to carry out his mission of bringing back the Lord’s followers in chains with the intent to kill them, a light shone down around him (verse 3). He was overcome by the light and as he fell to the ground he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting Me?” (verse 4)

My NLT records the following conversation:
“‘Who are you Lord?’ Saul asked." (verse 5)
“I am Jesus, the One you are persecuting! Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”  (verses 5b-6)

BUT, take a look at how the original text from the KJV records it:
“And he said, ‘Who art thou, Lord?’ And the Lord said, ‘I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.’” (verse 5)
“And he trembling and astonished said, 'Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?’ And the Lord said unto him, ‘Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.’”  (Verse 6)

It’s a significant difference!
The King James Version adds, “And he trembling and astonished said, ‘Lord what wilt Thou have me to do?”
The New King James says it more in the style of how we would say it today, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”

And as we’ve already embarked upon a new year, I can’t help but think the Lord, in His kindness, had me read this! It is the question I am to be wrestling with, not just at the start of a new year, but at the start of a new month, a new week, every single day!

Lord, what do You want me to do?

Lord how should I respond here?
Lord how should I behave here?
Lord how should I represent You in this moment?

It’s the only question that truly matters… every day of our lives.