Seizing the Moment of Faith and Obedience, over Fear

Seizing the moments God gives us are essential for the growth of our faith and the growth of His people. Ananias was thrown into Biblical and Church history when he was called by Jesus in a vision to take care of the person he once most feared-Saul. Saul, before he became the Apostle Paul, would have gladly imprisoned, tortured, and even killed Ananias, but after meeting Jesus on the road to Ananias' city (Damascus), he was now called to care for his enemy. Ananias was fearful and expressed this fear to God after receiving His instructions. The Lord said, "Go!”and Ananias obeyed, instead of cowering back in fear. Ananias allows faith in God’s words to triumph over his own human caution. God calls us to face fear as well, and respond in faith and obedience.

THINK and PRAY:

Ananias chose to trust. Faith is what pleases God and keeps us involved with God’s master plan of reaching people with the love of Christ. On the other hand, fear threatens to make us retreat and reason our way out of taking steps of faith. The reason for this is that quite often, God asks us to do works that require our dependence on him to do. Share the Gospel with a difficult family member. Really Lord? Give in generosity to the work of the Lord instead of our own selfishness. Really Lord? Serve others above your own agenda? Really Lord. There are many examples of what God asks us to do that line up with his plan, even when they seem scary or frankly, not to make sense. Think of Jonah. Think of Esther. Think of Stephen. The whole Bible is filled with stories of faith in God, that go opposite to faith in ourselves or our way. What has God called you to do that fear screamed:“Really Lord”? Did God use any faith steps to grow you and do his work in other people?