SAINT GEORGE, MARTYR (OPTIONAL MEMORIAL)

This man is a chosen instrument of mine. 

Ananias knew all about Saul of Tarsus, the zealous persecutor who posed a mortal danger to him and his fellow Christians. Surely God couldn’t be asking Ananias to seek Saul out and pray to restore his vision!

But when Ananias questioned God further, God invited him to adjust his thinking and view Saul in a new light. It was the Lord, not Ananias, who decided what Saul deserved or didn’t deserve. God had identified Saul as his own chosen instrument to bear witness throughout the world, and that’s what counted. Clearly God didn’t see Saul the way Ananias did!

Notice how Ananias took this to heart. When he found Saul, he didn’t question him or bring up his past sins. He simply addressed him as “my brother” and prayed that God would restore his sight (Acts 9:17). And he didn’t stop there. He also prayed for Saul to be filled with the Holy Spirit, baptized Saul, and made sure he had something to eat. In other words, he helped Paul find the strength he needed to begin the work God had obviously called him to do.

Ananias clearly went beyond just giving Saul the benefit of the doubt. And although he is not mentioned again in the Bible, we all benefit from Ananias’ example. After all, we can all fall into the trap of labeling people according to what we have heard about them. Only God has the full picture. Whatever we may learn about another person, one fact stands above everything else: this is someone God has created and whom he loves very much.

So when you’re tempted to make harsh judgments, ask God for further light, as Ananias did. Just as a better light source can transform a photograph, looking at people in the light of God’s love helps us see them more fully, more truly.

Ananias shows us that gaining a new perspective is just the beginning. How might God be asking you to go further and be a blessing in someone’s life today? How can your generous actions make a difference in their life?

“Jesus, shed the light of your love on every person I meet or that you bring to mind today.”

Psalm 117:1-2
John 6:52-59
Acts 9:1-20

WORD AMONG US