When we can’t see the plan
by Matt StoneDo you like surprises?
When it comes to people, I think it’s fair to say that nothing captures the public attention quite like the news of a seemingly “good” person who turns out to be bad, or visa versa.
We often see this narrative appearing as the plot to our favourite films and TV series. Seeing Darth Vader terrorise a galaxy in the original Star Wars trilogy, but (does it really need a spoiler alert at this point?) give himself up to the cause of the Rebels in an act of self sacrifice at the end left an indelible mark on my ten-year-old brain!
The Bible, too, is absolutely crammed full of accounts like this - the story of Jonah and the whale being one of the most famous. In fact, God makes a point of saying in his word that he uses the foolish, weak, lowly and despised things of this world to shame the things that people consider to be wise and strong.
So how does this relate to submission, and moreover, submitting to God?
For this, I’d like to turn our attention to an account in the bible of a disciple named Ananias. In today’s reading we see that The Lord called down to Ananias, and told him to go and restore St. Paul’s eyesight. (he was still known as Saul at this point). The Lord had temporarily blinded Paul on the road to Damascus as he had been severely persecuting the church, and yet God did this not only to stop Paul in his tracks, but also because He wanted to later use Paul to advance the Kingdom.
At the time, Ananias would not have been aware of this, so when God then asks him to go and restore Paul’s eyesight, understandably, he is hesitant.
Paul had a reputation for arresting and murdering Christians, so no doubt Ananias was extremely worried for the lives of his brothers and sisters in Christ, and himself as well.
I don’t know about you, but I can relate to Ananias.
He doesn’t confront God directly as Moses or Elijah might have done, but you can feel the underlying fear in his initial response, and his need to remind God of “the facts” (see Acts 9 :13 - 14). It’s exactly how I would have responded. He is in effect saying “Surely not, Lord! You do know he’s been trying to kill us all?, and if I go down to meet him, he’ll probably kill me, too! You can’t possibly want Paul to be a part of the church… not that guy, surely, can you?”
Thankfully, Ananias shows us what it is to be human and to submit to the plans of God. To trust His instructions when we can’t see the overarching plan. It’s what builds our faith in - and relationship with - God.
I think it’s also fair to say that we’d be able to think of many times across our lives where we’ve perhaps missed opportunities to reach people with the gospel because of our fears, prejudices, or simply because it breaks with our traditions or routines.
The Lord spoke to Ananias again, he faithfully went and restored Paul’s eyesight, and the rest is history. It wasn’t on his bingo card, but by God’s grace, he did it anyway! God is gracious with us, too.
In your prayer time, ask God to show you one person who you have been avoiding sharing the hope of Jesus with, due to a fear about how it might turn out.
Ask God to give you the confidence and wisdom to enable you to be a godly example in speech and actions to this person today, and over the coming days.
Lord Jesus,
you taught us to pray for your Kingdom to come and your will to be done. I recognise that I need your help, Holy Spirit, to do the good works that you have planned for my life. Please fill me again and empower me to live a life that draws others into your Kingdom. In your name Jesus, and for your glory, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
Amen.
