Acts chapter 9 is commonly known as Paul’s Damascus road experience. It is in chapter 9 that we are first introduced to the events of Saul being blinded by Jesus as he is traveling to Damascus to persecute the Christians. While this is what we often focus on within the ninth chapter of Acts, there is another story within that seems very relatable to many of us.
The story of a man named Ananias is found within this chapter as well. This is different than the Ananias you are most likely familiar with. This is not the Ananias that was married to Saphira and died four previous chapters, but a different Ananias.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
(Acts 9:10-17)
Look at how eager Ananias is to serve God when he is first called. He responds to God with a “Here I am, Lord”. He is ready. His boots are on, and he is anticipating God to use him. Are you anticipating God to use you? For many of us, I believe that we are in anticipation of God using us like Ananias was. God then gives him his mission. Ananias is to go to Saul so that he might regain his sight.
This is where things change for Ananias. He is so eager and ready to serve God just a few verses back, and now we see the change in verse 13. God is this really what you want me to do? You must be mistaken. Do you realize that this Saul guy is the one who has been persecuting Christians? Surely you don’t want me to help this guy. He isn’t worthy of your grace. He has been doing terrible things, and deserves them done back to him. I imagine this is what is going through Ananias’ head when he hears his mission.
Many times as Christians we are really eager to serve God, but when the Holy Spirit gives us our mission, we often times question God. Is this really what you want me to do? There could be serious repercussion from this. This is going to make me really uncomfortable. Surely this isn’t what you really want me to do, is it God?
I once heard it said that a way to test your own spiritual maturity is to think back to the last time God asked you to fulfill a mission or task. The spiritually mature will respond immediately, while the immature will seek out excuses.
I pray that we may eagerly seek God to use us, and immediately respond no matter the mission.