But
Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about the man, how much evil he has
done to your saints in Jerusalem." But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is an
instrument whom I have chosen to bring my name before the Gentiles and kings and before
the people of Israel."
Sometimes God’s will just doesn’t make sense. Even when we
clearly recognize God’s will, we often hesitate for need of a sound reason or solid
logic. We struggle to understand for certain what is God’s will and what is our own
personal desire.
Just as we struggle to apply our faith to our life, we are comforted to
know that many individuals in the Bible narrative also struggled, people like Moses and
Jonah. Today’s reading tells of Ananias and his struggle with God’s will.
Ananias was a man of great faith. He clearly recognized God’s call, but even he
questioned the logic of God’s decision to call Saul/Paul into discipleship. Yet in
faith, and perhaps at risk to his own life, Ananias acted and completed God’s mission
for him.
The result of God’s will as seen throughout the Biblical story
line? The theme is the restoration of community. God’s people are brought together
time and again so they may serve God by serving one another.
Consider the community building that resulted from Paul’s work.
Consider the community building that resulted from the work of Jesus, the One who truly
and completely obeyed his Father’s will. Jesus’ life, as our example, shows us
God’s call to serve others without limit.
The response to the call is never easy and may not seem logical to our
limited minds, but we are challenged (like Ananias) to take action and walk in faith.
Dear Lord, we struggle to hear your voice and to obey your will.
Forgive us when we hesitate. We pray that your will be done. Amen.
Lynn Schriever
