Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, ‘Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.’”
NL Daily Devotion for Tuesday, April 20, 2021
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Talk about courage. Ananias, a devout Christian, against all his misgivings, walks right up to the man responsible for the jailing and murder of countless of his fellow Christians, and heals the guy’s blindness. It might have been easy enough to approach Saul while he couldn’t see a thing, and was freaked out and disoriented. But Ananias’ job was to renew Saul’s sight and get him back into fighting condition. Isn’t that just leading with the chin, as they say?
Certainly there is a place for prudent caution in approaching the Sauls in our lives. We can’t be naive when we engage those with whom we disagree, especially those who have some kind of power or potential power over us. People are generally driven by self-interest and can respond nastily if they feel those interests threatened.
This is why it takes courage to answer God’s call in the world. Because that call isn’t easy. It often puts us in direct opposition to people with the power to cause us harm. We must be carefully discerning of what God is asking of us, and at the same time be willing to speak and act boldly even though it might put us at risk. Truth be told, I want to be Ananias when I grow up.
Where am I called on to have courage in doing God’s work in the world?
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