I was reminded of this story from Acts 9 while I listened to a recent sermon from Austin New Church (which can be found here). This serves as our introduction to Saul, a Pharisee and persecutor of the Way, Jesus' followers. Saul will become Paul as a result of his encounter with God on the road, and will go on to write most of the New Testament letters and spread the gospel message further. But in Acts 9, Saul is traveling and is suddenly struck blind and hears a voice from heaven. He does what the voice says, which makes sense, because even with our modern Western medicine and technology, if I suddenly lost the ability to see, and I heard someone giving me instructions to restore my sight, you better believe I'd follow those words down to the letter.
And then the story takes an interesting turn. God has called out to a man who will make a radical life change and plant churches all over Asia and Europe, but then he also speaks to a man named Ananias. Ananias is already a believer, already fully committed to God and His Church, so when he hears the voice, he responds, "Yes, Lord."
The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street. Ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias. The man has come and placed his hands on him. Now he will be able to see again."
"Lord," Ananias answered, "I've heard many reports about this man. They say he has done great harm to God's people in Jerusalem. Now he has come here to arrest all those who worship you. The chief priests have given him authority to do this."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! I have chosen this man to work for me. He will carry my name to those who aren't Jews, and to their kings. He will bring my name to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for me."
Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. He placed his hands on Saul. "Brother Saul," he said, "you saw the Lord Jesus. He appeared to you on the road as you were coming here. He has sent me so that you will be able to see again. You will be filled with the Holy Spirit." Acts 9:10-17
As I reflect on the word brave this month, I am reminded of how often God's calling to me has been the same as for Ananias. Open your door. Take down your walls. Let others in. Ananias had every reason to stay away from Saul. He'd heard all about him, and he didn't want to get locked up or put to death. He just wanted to worship the Lord in peace. But God had a plan not just to redeem Saul's life, but Ananias' as well.
The world is teeming with stories of hate and violence and fear and isolation. Sometimes it is impossible to separate the people of God from everyone else, because we allow ourselves to hear these tales and we shut our doors. We try to keep it out.
"For God has not given us a Spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love and self-discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7) God calls His people to be brave. To open their doors and step out in faith. Nowhere in my life is this more evident than our decision to become foster parents, and then adoptive parents. Plenty of people warned us and tried to talk us out of doing it. We would be opening ourselves up to something unknown, possibly dangerous. We rejected that mentality, because we don't believe in fearing what we don't know. Instead of some horror, we became the parents of a beautiful little boy, who nestled himself firmly in our hearts. And that little boy, in turn, opened us to a whole family of people of look like him and share his personality quirks. Though it is sometimes difficult, it is a beautiful expression of God's kingdom that we are able to walk this journey openly.
Sometimes being brave means opening the door of an adoption agency, and beginning the process of placing your child in someone else's home. Sometimes it mean opening your door to a child (or children) in need of a family. Sometimes the bravest thing we can do is let go of the labels we've borne in the past (unloved, abandoned, unworthy, ashamed) and let in people who will walk with us towards healing and wholeness.
God didn't give up on Saul, even though he persecuted God's people, sometimes to the point of murder. God didn't let Ananias stay in his house, scared and alone. God brought these two men together to accomplish the work of His kingdom, and generations of believers have been blessed by their courage.
God hasn't given up on you either. Every morning, He gives us the chance to be brave once again. So who will you let in?
