Umm…..God?
Something to think about: Acts 9:1-19
The title of this story talks about the conversion of Saul. Saul was a follower of Judaism and, at the time, an enthusiastic persecutor of the early Christian Church. The ‘murderous threats” that are talked about in the Bible reading were real. He had a reputation.
And there’s a lot written about Saul’s conversion and the bright lights on the road, and how God appeared to him.
But there’s another call in this passage. We’re going to be talking about it on Sunday.
What do you do when you’re scared to do what God asks?
Ananias has a different reputation than Saul does. . He’s known as a good guy. And the church in his town knows Saul is coming and they’re scared. So what does God tell Ananais to do?
“Go to the person you are most afraid of right now and heal him so he can see you. “
Umm…God? Do you know who this person is? Let me provide a reminder….
…but Ananias goes anyway. He heals Saul, and Saul changes his life.
Saul would have been wandering around blind if Ananias hadn’t gone. What Ananais does isn’t for his own benefit. But the effect of Ananais obedience to God changes the history of the new Christian church.
Sometimes (well, a lot of times) we’re asked by God to do things that we’re scared to do. Maybe we’re overthinking a small act of obedience when, like the Nike commercial said, we need to just do it. Maybe it’s shaking off our comfort and security and what we’re used to so that someone else can enjoy a relationship with God. Maybe it’s trying something we’ve never tried before because that’s what lets us show God’s love to our neighbour.
Maybe it’s a risk to go to people who may harm us, but we don’t have evidence that they will. In that situation, we can ask for help–from God, from each other, and ask the questions that we need to know. The answer Ananias gets from God isn’t the one he’d like or be comfortable with, but it is the answer that assures him that he’s going to come through this.
We can learn from Ananias. When we’re scared of embracing a new challenge in Jesus’ name, we can ask questions. But those questions can’t stop us from leaning into the purpose that God has for us.
Where are you being called into something that scares you this week?
How will going through that fear and trusting God lead to someone else knowing the love of Christ?
What questions are part of our ‘umm…God, are you sure?’ moments?
God will answer. God always does.
Prayer: Dear Lord, when the places you call us to go or the things you call us to do scare us, give us the peace to ask you the questions and the courage to take the risks so that others know Your love.
Amen.
Peace in Christ,
Rev Susan
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