Saul's Conversion
1Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest 2and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. 3As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. 4He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
5"Who are you, Lord?" Saul asked.
"I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting," he replied. 6"Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."
7The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. 8Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. 9For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
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, 19and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
Stuff that stood out:
*** 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...: While usually this passage is one of conversion (specifically "Saul" to "Paul", once Jesus calls him), this time the banter between Ananais and God is what hit me. Ananais hears the Lord speaking, but it isn't what he would expect. God is calling him to do something that simply doesn't fit into Ananais' criteria. What is hard here is that who would fault Ananais' concerns? I mean, let's look at the criteria for him being a bit concerned with God asking him to go visit Saul/Paul: Saul a known hater of Christ-followers? Check. Saul has the authority to hunt down these followers, so it isn't just him going alone? Check. The early believers are likely hearing stories of being punished, tortured, even killed for their faith? Check. I'm sure the list could go on, but these are good. So, Ananais is kinda making sure God "knows" that what he is asking doesn't make much sense (to Ananais). I can relate. There are times (I'm even wondering if there are some things going on now in my life that would qualify) where God calls us to something, but it doesn't line up with our criteria. Maybe great risk is involved. Maybe it involves something (or...someone...) we just really, REALLY don't like. Maybe it would remove some of that thing we all seek too well: security. Or I suppose it could even involve our life itself. Who knows. I also no that if Ananais would have said no, however...well, would Paul have been the man we know today? I'm sure God could have found another way to have his plan implemented, but what things am I "dilly-dallying" with today, almost bargaining with God, looking only to the criteria I have decided on? I need to look to Ananais' example of trust, confidence, and ultimate faithfulness in following God's plan for him, regardless of the criteria he may have had, or even what others (with "good" intentions, possibly) may have told him if he had sought their counsel.
Questions for me today:
What things in my life, where God may be calling me, am I dragging my feet due to excuses?
If I need to release "my" criteria...what is God's criteria, then?
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