Saturday, January 19, 2013

Vintage Gwen Chapel-Oh, Ananias!


Have you ever 'felt' like you needed to go pray for someone? Or say an encouraging word to someone? Or like me, actually know that God said to "Go pray"?  And when God said "Go", you didn't move but rather questioned God?  I have done this so many times.  I've gotten better at moving my feet. I may still be a little unsure in my head but at least my feet are moving!  Well I was so moved to discover someone in the bible has done the exact same thing.  Ananias.  Oh, Ananias! In Acts chapter 9 is where Saul meets God on a road to Damascus and is struck blind. {Rabbit trail...I love that God Himself intervened. He fought for His children this day as He does everyday!} Then God appeared to Ananias in a vision.....

 "In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
The 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.  In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.  I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.” (verses 10-15 NIV)

Hehehe...did you see that question in there? As if God didn't know who Saul was!! I love it! 
"But God! That's the bad guy!! And you want me to heal him?!" 
But God wasn't moved by Ananias's concern...He was calling Saul to a higher place....God responded in a firm, loving manner and Ananias didn't question anymore, he obeyed. And if he hadn't, God would have used a different disciple. Because God's plans for Saul were unstoppable as are His plans for us.

I think Ananias probably never questioned God again.
 And now I won't ever forget his small part in Paul's transformation.

Let's be quick to obey question free from now on.  What'd ya say?

Happy Weekend! 

1 comment:

Nadine said...

I love how the scriptures can teach us so much, and how each time we come to passages, we'll so often see new things each time. Good words friend. ((I'm visiting over from Mercy Inc))