Acts 22 finds Paul in Jerusalem against the wishes of his friends, but listening to God’s will. A crowd of people haul Paul from the temple and begin to beat him, accusing him of teaching against Jewish law and defiling the temple. The commander of the Roman troops is notified of the uproar and comes to arrest Paul and take him to the barracks. Paul asks to speak to the crowd before he is brought to prison. As he begins to tell the story of his life with Christ, it is the words of Ananias to Paul that is my inspiration in this chapter.
“Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’” Acts 22:14-16
Some days it is hard to get started. Sometimes I just don’t look forward to a certain task that I need to get done, or a meeting, or some household chore that just can’t be put off any longer. Sometimes it’s tending to relationships that I have left to falter because it is just easier than facing that person. My daily hardships pale in comparison to Paul’s. Yet, he and I are both children of God. We are here as part of His plan, including the obstacles he might have for us. Paul had this amazing experience of the light and the blindness and the sight. My experience with the Lord is not the same as Paul’s, but it is just as amazing on a daily basis and it is important to remember not to wait to share that experience with everyone I meet.
Dear Lord, please help me remember that my daily chores are all part of Your plan. Please give me understanding in how to witness Your amazing grace to those I meet. Amen.