it was the story of paul's conversion on the road to damascus (acts 9). he was on his way to persecute believers when a bright light from heaven knocked him to the ground and blinded him. Jesus spoke to him--asked him why he was persecuting Him, told saul/paul who He was.
i saw paul as a man zealous for God, eager to defend His fame and eradicate the new sect that threatened change to what God had done for so long--revealed Himself to the jews so that they would in turn bless all the nations of the world...they were blessed to be a blessing. (psalm 67)
okay, so maybe i was a little more sympathetic to saul, but what struck me was how God used ananias.
so saul is in damascus, blind, not eating or drinking anything. i think he is praying and fasting, seeking God. ananias, called by God in a vision, comes to restore his sight--not just physically, but spiritually. ananias tells saul that that he was sent so that saul "may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
if saul was converted on the road to damascus, then the HS would already be indwelling him. right? at the moment of conversion, of salvation, we are indwelt by the HS--this i've learned. it is not a special gift you get later if you pray enough--He is the helper that has come to live in you when you believe (eph 1:13).
so, paul's conversion happened when ananias shared the gospel! ananias was obedient to God's call--eventhough he was scared because of all he'd heard of saul. ananias HEARD God's call and OBEYED by GOING. Jesus, on the road, got saul's attention, re-focused him and challenged his preconceived ideas--but a redeemed man still needed to share the gospel.
it made me think of another story and i wasn't sure where it was until i started writing this--it's in acts immediately before saul's conversion story--acts 8:26+
an ethiopian eunuch was returning home after worshipping in jerusalem, and reading isaiah. okay, clearly, that man wanted to know God--he read the scriptures, knew enough to have traveled to jerusalem to worship, but still needed SOMEONE TO TELL HIM the good news! enter philip--another faithful and obedient Christ follower.
more and more i am convinced that God prepares the hearts and minds of those who will be His children....and MY PART is to be obedient to the call to share the good news about what
Jesus has done. it is not up to me to convince or to soften a heart--i do not have to be afraid or intimidated. there are souls out there hungering for what i feast on.
what am i waiting for?
Lord, thank you for continuing to open up your Word to me, thank you for your faithfulness to show me more and more of your love and plan for bringing people from all nations to worship you. forgive me for thinking too much of my role and not enough on how you, in your sovereignty, are working to draw men and women to yourself. You are Lord of the harvest. you have prepared it and i simply GO and gather. use me Lord, make me bold and help me keep my eyes on You. bind my heart and my will to Yours.
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