Go Where?

8 Saul got up from the ground, and though his eyes were open, he could see nothing; so they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank. 10 Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, "Ananias." He answered, "Here I am, Lord." 11 The Lord said to him, "Get up and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul. (Acts 9:8-11)

Saul was a devout Jewish leader. By his own estimation, he worked tirelessly to punish those of Jewish heritage who were turning to Jesus. He believed he was doing God's will. Imagine his surprise when, while on his way to take as prisoners those in Damascus who "belonged to the Way" (they were not yet called Christians), Saul was forced to the ground by a blinding light. While on the ground Saul heard the voice of Jesus asking why Saul was persecuting him.

Ananias was a devout follower of Jesus. He knew who Saul was and feared him. Imagine his surprise when God told him to go to the house where Saul was praying and lay hands on him to restore Saul's sight.

When God says that grace, love and salvation are available to all, God really means all. And God really means to use each of us to carry those gifts into the world. Consider Jonah, the prophet who didn't want to go to Nineveh, and Peter who didn't want to share the good news of Jesus with those who ate "unclean" food (Acts 10). Whenever we deem someone unworthy, unwilling, or unlikely to receive and know God for themselves, they might just be the one God is calling us to serve.

18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and his sight was restored. Then he got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. For several days he was with the disciples in Damascus, 20 and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, "He is the Son of God." (Acts 9:18-20)