Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Follow God’s Call

The Lord said, “God over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you arrive, ask for Saul of Tarsus. He is praying to me right now. I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying his hands on him so that he can see again.”

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem! And we hear that he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest every believer in Damascus.” -- Acts 9:11-14

Have you ever really not wanted to do something God has called you to do? Ananias could commiserate with you. God wanted Ananias to go to a man known for persecuting Jesus’ followers. Saul of Tarsus -- who became the Apostle Paul -- could easily order that Ananias be killed. Talk about quaking in your sandals!

But, as usual, God knew what He was doing. We don’t always understand His ways. Okay. Frequently we don’t understand His ways. But God calls us to trust Him and do what He says.

Most of us have heard the story of Jesus appearing to Saul as he walked along a road. Saul was blinded by a brilliant light from heaven. He was led to the house of Judas, where the Bible tells us he went without food and water for three days. I’m sure he prayed too. And God answered Saul’s prayers -- thought probably not in the way Saul would have expected.

We don’t think too much about Ananias. He is overshadowed by Paul’s ministry. A ministry that began when Ananias obeyed God. We tend to forget that part. Saul regained his sight because Ananias obeyed God. Saul was baptized because Ananias obeyed God. And Saul began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues because Ananias obeyed God.

Sometimes we don’t think too much of what we’re called to do for God. We want a big job. We want to do something profound, something everyone will know and see. But sometimes it’s those scary things that have the most lingering impact. Like telling someone about Jesus. Sometimes it’s the small things. Like keeping a couple of small children one afternoon so that their single mother can get a break. Or maybe it’s buying the lunch of the person behind you in line at the fast food restaurant.

Always, it’s following the call of God. Because He does know what He’s doing. And while we may not understand His motives in that moment, one day we will. Trust Him. And obey.