One of the most amazing stories in the Scriptures is found in Acts chapter 9… the conversion of Saul. In a nutshell, here’s the scenario. Saul, a hater of Christians and a persecutor of the church, is on his way to Damascus from Jerusalem (about a 6-day journey) to arrest Christians and bring them back to Jerusalem to stand trial and be thrown into prison. But just before he arrives in Damascus, he has an encounter with Jesus, the Living One. He falls to the ground and goes blind. For three days, he remains blind until God calls Ananias, a devoted follower of Jesus, to go and heal him.
Ananias questioned God… Saul of Tarsus? Are you sure God? You are aware of what he’s been doing to Christians, right? He’s killed your people. But God says to Ananias: “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel. And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake” (Acts 9:15-16). Ananias obeys. And Saul is healed from his blindness and becomes the greatest evangelist to walk this earth.
There are many things I could bring out about this story, but this morning, I was reminded of one thing… GOD CALLS US TO COMMITMENT NOT NECESSARILY COMFORT. Ananias was a committed servant of God and this commitment took him to a place he never thought he would be… face to face with a murderer. He obeyed even if he didn’t understand. It stretched his faith, challenged his devotion, and confronted his fears. It wasn’t comfortable. But he did it anyway. And for Saul, comfort would never again be in his future. He suffered greatly.
How strong is your commitment to the Lord? Are you willing to obey even if it’s difficult, or you’re scared, or you are unsure of the road ahead? Let me tell you a little bit about me. I made a commitment to Jesus long ago but I never realized the path ahead of me… an often-difficult road. When God called me into ministry, I had to go outside my comfort zone (especially in the area of public speaking), I had to take on projects that were difficult, and I had to give up things that I loved.
One of the most difficult things I have ever done is write Bible studies. Studying is not something that comes easy for me. And then along the way, God challenged me by inviting me to write studies on books that many pastors and teachers never attempt to teach… prophetic books. As I undertook Revelation and then several years later, Daniel, I cannot tell you how hard it was. I was stretched and challenged in ways I never imagined. Some days I wept over passages I just could not grasp. But God was faithful and the Holy Spirit was my guide through it all. You see, the commitment I made has not always been comfortable but it has been rewarding. God honors those who commit to His will no matter what.
Again, let me ask you… how strong is your commitment? Do you stay only in the things that are comfortable for you or are you willing to go outside your comfort to follow the Lord? Have you allowed God to stretch your faith and challenge your resolve? Perhaps we need to commit ourselves to the Lord and say: “Lord, I want your will not mine.” Let this encourage you today.