"I Must Be Willing"

I Must Be Willing

Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
~Acts 9:10

Ananias was a devoted and well respected man of the Jewish faith. When God spoke to him, he listened...God told him to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus. Ananias had heard some very disturbing things about Saul. He knew he was an enemy to God's people and had persecuted many Christians. But God had big plans for Saul and He needed someone willing to go and minister to him because he was at a turning point in His life. Saul had just had an encounter with Jesus and as a result of that "bright light" encounter, Saul had become blind. Although he was physically blinded, his spiritual eyes were opened; he realized his wrongdoing. He  repented and was fasting and praying for three days. He also had a vision from God and was expecting Ananias to come.

However, Ananias did not know about the change in Saul's heart and he was afraid of what Saul would do to him. "Then Ananias answered, 'Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem'...'Go! This man is My chosen instrument to proclaim My name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel'...Then Ananias went..." ~Acts 9:13,15-16. Even though he was afraid, he obeyed God. As a result of his obedience and his willingness to go, Saul's vision was restored, he was baptized and his name was changed to Paul the Apostle.

And one more thing, when Ananias got to the house where Saul was staying, he called him "Brother Saul". "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road while you were coming here has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit." ~Acts 9:17. Ananias didn't see Saul/Paul as the evil wicked person that he once was, he saw him as God saw him! What a testimony of God's saving grace that both Ananias and Saul/Paul witnessed that day! And yes, that's the same Paul who became a powerful minister of the gospel and wrote many of the New Testament Books.

As I read this passage and the amazing transformation from sinner to saint, I wonder what would have happened if Ananias had been unwilling to do what God asked? Would Saul's vision have been restored, would he have been baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit, would "Paul" have preached the gospel to the Gentiles?  Would we know about our precious Jesus or would there have been a different story written?

I know there have been times God asked me to go to someone but I didn't go. I wonder how many lives might be different today if I had only been willing to go, to pray with them and tell them about Jesus. Lord forgive me!

Who knows, one of us might be the next Ananias. Our obedience to go just might be what changes a household, a community, a city and even beyond...I must be willing!  "Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying: 'Whom shall I send, And who will go for Us'? Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me'." ~Isaiah 6:8

Heavenly Father forgive me for my  weaknesses!  Lord, help me be willing to go and do whatever you ask and more importantly, help me see those who may not look or act like me as my "brothers and sisters". I want to be a willing vessel for you! Amen.