As I am journeying through the book of Acts, I hit a speed bump with Ananias. Time to slow down and really consume what is there.
Ananias is one of those pivotal role players in the Bible that shows up, changes the course of history and disappears.
Much like the mother who made sure her son had two fish and five loaves of bread for lunch when he went out to listen to Jesus give His sermon on the mountainside, Ananias was critically tasked.
Paul needed to experience Grace (Ananias means God’s Gracious Gift or Yah is Merciful) So God called him and sent him to pray for Paul’s sight by laying hands on him and praying, and also be filled with the Holy Spirit.
(have you noted how many times it is mentioned in acts where believers accepted Christ, repented and were even baptised, but have not yet received the Holy Spirit?)
Ananias did all God required of him, baptised Paul, and off he went… and so starts part two of Paul, the Legalist has become Paul, the teacher of Love and Grace.
but…
Step back a bit and take it in.
There is a moment there, where Ananias goes “are you sure about this, God?”
Ananias Questions God!
The Bible only gives us a sentence or two of his objection, but I can imagine the fullness of the argument. Ananias going forward and backwards with God. “This guy has persecuted your followers in Jerusalem!…”
Yes, but I need you to go and pray for him
“Ok, but you know he has letters from the High Priest to imprison me?”
Yes, but I need you to go and pray for him
“Ok, but not just me, ALL the believers!” (Like that carries more weight)
Yes, but I need you to go and pray for him
“Ok… but if I pray for him and he is healed, He will be able to see where we are!”
Yes, but I need you to go and pray for him
“Ok, but…”
Listen Ananias,…
I think it is ok to argue with God. I don’t think He minds at all. We are in a relationship, not a religion. We are building Faith. We get to know God’s Character, and we understand God’s Ways better.
(It is really beautiful that God left these little nuggets of humanity in the bible for us to find.)
It is ok to be unsure
It is ok to question your own calling.
It is ok to be apprehensive.
But then, step out and get with the program.
The second part is God didn’t say to Ananias: “Because I said so”, He took the time to explain to Ananias. It is clear that Ananias had a relationship with God. God called him and he responded: “Yes Lord”
God does not always reveal His endgame to us as He did here with Ananias (which reveals something of their relationship), but when we ask, we become part of the conversation if we also take the time to listen.
Not all of us need to be Paul, but we all need to be Ananias. Live in a relationship with God so that we instantly recognise His voice, then step out through our uncertainty and act when called to do so.
Be blessed!
‘Living in Damascus was a believer named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling his name. “Ananias.”
“Yes, Lord,” Ananias answered.
The Lord said, “Go at once to the street called Abundance and look for a man from Tarsus named Saul. You will find him at Judah’s house. While he was praying, he saw in a supernatural vision a man named Ananias coming to lay hands upon him to restore his sight.”
“But Lord,” Ananias replied,
“many have told me about his terrible persecution of those in Jerusalem who are devoted to you. In fact, the high priest has authorized him to seize and imprison all those in Damascus who call on your name.”
The Lord Yahweh answered him, “Arise and go! I have chosen this man to be my special messenger…’
(Acts 9:10-15)
