Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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Spiritual Sight and calling in Christ
Bible Reading:   Acts 9: 10-18
 Acts 9: 17
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

DEVOTION

 In this passage, we see a man named Saul. He was a man deeply devoted to Judaism, believing, protecting, and defending the Law of Moses as told in the first five books of the bible; also called the Torah.  Saul, in fact, had a clear agenda to arrest, by force, if necessary, all followers of Jesus, including Ananias, and deport them to Jerusalem.  It was a mission intended to create terror among the Christian community in Damascus.
On the other hand, we see Ananias was directed by Jesus to minister to the deadliest enemy of the Christian faith at that time. Jesus was at work in Saul’s life, preparing him emotionally and spiritually to receive what God was bringing through Ananias. 
This passage beautifully illustrates the individual transformations that Jesus brought to both Saul and Ananias. It also challenges us to reflect: What if everything we’ve ever known or believed was suddenly turned upside down? What if someone told us we were wrong and needed to change course entirely? How would we respond.
Ananias faced such a moment. God asked him to lay hands on the very man who sought to kill him - a man who had caused immense suffering to the followers of Christ. Even more surprising, God revealed that Saul would become a chosen instrument to spread His Word. Despite his initial fear and hesitation, Ananias said "yes" to God's call and overcame his apprehension with faith. Ananias is a man who is surrendered in his walk with the Lord. Here is a man who has turned the reins of his life over to the Lord.
Even when we do not know how things will work out and even when it may seem that God is leading us in a path that is challenging, difficult and painful, we must learn to respond in humble obedience to His call and His command. Ananias went to the house where Saul was, he entered in and he touched him. Then he did something that must have touched the heart of Saul like nothing he had ever heard in his life. Because the first word he ever heard a fellow believer say to him was the word "Brother."  
Ananias touches him so tenderly and embraces him as a brother in Christ. Ananias teaches us the kind of reaction we should have to the commands that Lord gives in our lives. He went in the spirit of God and made a difference in the life of Saul. Ananias regained spiritual sight to regain Saul's sight. 
We never know what Jesus is doing in the life of another person or how the Spirit of God is at work preparing their heart, soul, and mind.  It is not for us to decide when and where, how or why.  It is not for us to have all the answers and the master plan.  It is for us only to be ready; to be willing to trust in the one who holds our very existence as close to him as our very breath - Jesus, our Lord and Savior.

PRAYER

Lord Almighty, we humbly surrender ourselves to You. Help us to hear Your voice, follow Your calling, and restore our spiritual vision, so that we may be instruments of change and blessings to those around us. Amen.

Thought for the day

God works in ways beyond our understanding, preparing hearts and transforming lives. It calls us to trust in God's plans, respond with obedience to His commands, and be instruments of His grace. Our role is to be ready and willing, allowing Jesus to use us to make a difference in the lives of others.

Sam Rojin Oommen 
 Trinity Mar Thoma Church, Houston 

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