Changes for Everyone!

Scripture – Acts 9:10-19: ¹⁰In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. ¹¹The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. ¹²In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” ¹³“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. ¹⁴And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.” ¹⁵But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. ¹⁶I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”

¹⁷Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” ¹⁸Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and ¹⁹after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.

Reflection: “Then Ananias went to the house and entered it.” That one simple phrase describes the essence of discipleship. Ananias was ready and open to hear God’s call. The instructions God gave were very specific. He was a little nervous about carrying them out. Nevertheless, he did what God called him to do.

I wonder what was going on with Ananias that day. What plans did he have? How far out of his way did this errand take him?

All we know is he went. And in the process of doing what he as called to do, something changed in him by the time he entered the house. He went to the man he was afraid of and called him, “Brother Saul.” That’s the transforming power of Christ at work in a believer’s heart.

How open am I to that? I might go where He calls me to go, but my heart’s not always in it. What keeps me from letting Him change my attitude along with my behavior? I’ll let Him do that this week, and I’ll report back on what happens.