Acts 9:1-31



Paul’s conversion story is about as dramatic as they come. The feared persecutor traveled 135 miles from Jerusalem to Damascus to stomp out the movement of followers of Jesus the Messiah. Damascus was a critical hub on caravan and commercial routes. It would have been important to Paul to travel there and put out the news about Jesus before it took root and spread throughout the known world from Damascus. 

Approaching the city, Paul (Saul) was blinded by a bright light and the voice of Jesus called out to him. Paul’s response was to fast and pray for three days. Meanwhile God spoke to Ananias, to go and minister to Paul, to lay hands on him, pray for his healing, and give him direction from Jesus. 

It’s normal to have doubts when it comes to hearing God speak. It’s common to agonize over whether it was God’s idea or our own when we have a prompting from the Holy Spirit. Sometimes we’re even concerned that maybe the idea came from Satan. 

There are few things that have helped me recognize God’s voice in my life. God won’t lead us to sin. Satan won’t prompt genuine godliness. Our flesh won’t lead us to true godliness. If I am doing something good with the wrong motivations, God will convict me and purify my motivations. God’s love for me is not changed by whether I accurately discern his voice or not. When we are prompted by something and in need of discernment, we can freely take a faith-filled risk into obedience, when it aligns with God’s character and Word. 

Ananias took a faith-filled risk to go to Paul, lay hands on him, pray for his healing, and share the word that God had given him. His obedience resulted in Paul’s conversion, baptism, and joining Jesus on mission. His willingness to engage someone who should have been his enemy shows us that engaging our neighbor may sometimes mean stepping into difficult or unexpected relationships. The Church is forever changed because of Ananias willingness to respond in faith and receive someone who should have been his enemy, someone out to kill him. 

It’s also worth noting, that just because Jesus told Ananais to take a risk in going to Paul, doesn’t lead to God telling Paul to take a risk and stay in the city when there was a plot to kill him. Instead, God revealed his strategy to Paul to escape, to flee. Back in Jerusalem, Barnabus had the faith to believe Paul’s conversion story was legit, received him into fellowship with the disciples, and advocated for him to the other apostles. 

Dear Jesus, help me hear your voice more clearly. Reveal to me more of your character and your ways, that I may know what is in agreement with you. Give me the courage to take faith-filled risks and follow you, even when it seems foolish. Is there someone in my life who needs a word of encouragement, hope or truth today? Is there another believer who I can help more fully welcome into fellowship? Amen.