This week for Journey18:25 we were challenged to read Acts 9:1-19. This is the story of the conversion of Saul to Paul in the New Testament.
Now, this is a story I've read and heard hundreds of times. But you can always get something new when reading God's Word. Because it is living and breathing and always relevant.
When I read the story of Saul this time, I was drawn to the other guy God mentions in Saul's conversion. Ananias.
10 In Damascus there was a believer named Ananias. The Lord called out to him in a vision. "Ananias!" he said.
"Yes, Lord," he answered.11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying.12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias. The man has come and placed his hands on him. Now he will be able to see again."13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I've heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to God's people in Jerusalem.14 Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this."15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel.16 I will show him how much he must suffer for me."17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit."18 Right away something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized.19 After eating some food, he got his strength back.
"Yes, Lord," he answered.11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying.12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias. The man has come and placed his hands on him. Now he will be able to see again."13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I've heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to God's people in Jerusalem.14 Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this."15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel.16 I will show him how much he must suffer for me."17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit."18 Right away something like scales fell from Saul's eyes. And he could see again. He got up and was baptized.19 After eating some food, he got his strength back.
Ananias is like, "God, are you saying you want me to go to this person who's probably going to hurt me?"
Ananias was pretty uneasy about that idea. I am uneasy about talking to strangers too! And most strangers I see today are not going around persecuting Christians like Saul had been!
But God doesn't ask us to do something that He doesn't really want us to do. He said to Ananias (and to us) more emphatically "Yes! Go! And here's more reasons why this will be a good thing!"
Paul was chosen to carry God's story to the Gentiles. That's me. That's probably you. And because Ananias trusted God's plan, We know about Jesus today!
I have prayed this week that I will trust God's plan for my life every day and not miss out on an opportunity to share His story with the people I run into!
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