This morning I was reading Acts 9, and I came across something I’ve read many times, but something new caught my attention (isn’t that the way it is with the Bible?).
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.” 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, 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.”
Ananias had no idea what the Lord was going to ask him to do in verse 10, but he was simply obedient. There are many other stories of people responding to God with a willing spirit before knowing the task ahead (Abraham, Samuel, Isaiah, etc). Ananias is one of these who simply let his willingness lead him on a daily basis.
It was this simple disposition to be used by God that led him to Paul. Although the Scriptures are silent on the topic, Ananias was probably the one who baptized Paul and helped him get started on his incredible ministry journey. A simple, “Here I am,” put Ananias in an positive position to be used by God.
When he heard what it was that God wanted him to do, he hesitated a little, but after hearing God’s voice, he was obedient. He walked right into a dangerous situation. Saul was known to be a persecutor of Christians, and he was no doubt surrounded by a company of religious leaders who hated those who followed the Way. However, Ananias still obeyed.
My question today is, “Where will God lead me today?” I may not know that answer, but my prayer is that I can be a useful vessel willing to do whatever it is He asks me today, regardless of what that might be.
What about you? Are you ready to respond to God with, “Here I am, Lord.”
