Victor Raj

Paul’s encounter on the road to Damascus is often described as his conversion. But that word, while useful, doesn’t quite capture what actually happened. Paul didn’t abandon one religion for another. He didn’t renounce Yahweh to follow a new deity. In fact, Paul already believed he was serving the one true God the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. What changed wasn’t his God . What changed was his vision . In that blinding moment of light, Paul realized the unthinkable: Jesus is Yahweh. The crucified rabbi from Nazareth whom he considered a blasphemer and whose followers he hunted, was the living presence of the God he loved. And it shattered him. Paul’s Passion Before Christ: Zeal Without Sight “As to zeal, a persecutor of the church...” (Philippians 3:6) Saul of Tarsus was not lukewarm. He was aflame with devotion to the Torah and the God of Israel. He memorized Scripture. He defended tradition. He believed he was purifying Israel for the coming of Messiah. In his m...

We all like to be in control. But faith often begins where control ends. Loosen your grip, surrender outcomes, and walk with the God who doesn’t give maps—only Himself. We like maps. We like knowing what’s next. We like plans, spreadsheets, backup plans, and exit strategies. Control makes us feel safe. Predictability feels like peace. But what happens when we can’t control the outcome? When the job isn’t secure When the relationship is uncertain When the health report is unclear When the child won’t respond When the future looks foggy Our instinct is to try harder. Grasp tighter. Fix what we can. But control is often an illusion. And it’s a heavy one. Faith begins where control ends. Surrender Is Not Defeat Surrender isn’t waving a white flag in despair. It’s lifting empty hands in trust. Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, faced a path He did not feel ready for. He prayed: “Not my will, but Yours be done.” (Luke 22:42) He didn’t control the outcome. He trusted the Father through it. L...

Shame whispers, "You are your worst mistake." But the Gospel speaks louder. This reflection invites you to let go of shame, receive the grace of Christ, and walk in the freedom of being fully known and fully loved. Shame doesn’t shout. It whispers. "You always mess up." "You’re not enough." "If people knew the real you, they’d walk away." "You might be forgiven, but you’re still stained." Shame thrives in silence, darkness, and secrecy. It attaches itself not to what we did, but to who we believe we are. Guilt says, "I did something wrong." Shame says, "I am something wrong." But here’s the truth: Jesus didn’t just come to forgive what you did. He came to restore who you are. The Woman Caught in Shame In John 8, a woman is dragged before Jesus by religious leaders, caught in the act of adultery. Her accusers want justice. Jesus offers her dignity. They see her sin. Jesus sees her story. He says, “Let the one without ...

Some of the heaviest burdens we carry aren’t tasks or regrets. They’re people. A child who’s drifting. A loved one caught in addiction. A spouse who’s emotionally withdrawn. A friend walking away from faith. A parent stuck in bitterness. We ache for them. We plead with God. We try everything. And when nothing changes, we silently wonder: “What am I doing wrong?” We carry their pain as if it’s ours to solve. And deep inside, a quiet voice whispers: “If I just love them enough… if I say the right thing… maybe they’ll turn around.” But the truth is this--You are not their Savior. You’re their sibling. Their friend. Their spouse. Their parent. And that is holy enough. The Savior Complex Is Exhausting There’s a difference between a burden God gives and a burden we’ve taken upon ourselves. God invites us to love, speak truth, walk with others, and intercede. But when we begin to believe that their change depends entirely on us, we are quietly placing ourselves in God’s seat. Even Jesus didn’...