So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 9:17 ESV)
Fear Not… and Open Someone’s Eyes
Ananias was not eager to visit Saul. Saul was a fanatic, a murderer of Christians, an enemy of God’s people. But God had a plan for Saul. And so Ananias obeyed.
God’s evangelistic plan was bigger than Ananias’ fears.
Saul was going to bring God’s Word throughout the Middle East, and all the way to Rome. He brought light to those dwelling in darkness. He brought hope to those in despair. He brought Jesus to those who needed Him, and Need Him.
And Ananias moved past his fear as a part of that process.
He opened Saul’s eyes, so Paul could open the world’s.
Ananias might not see that he had a part in God’s plan. Ananias might not see that his fear of Saul was a roadblock to the gospel. Ananias might not see that opening Saul’s eyes, while not brazenly gospely-y, brought Jesus to Rome.
But Ananias listened to God instead of to fear. And look what happened.
Maybe the things we continue to fear are part of that process, too. Maybe moving past our fears is how God will bring His light to those in darkness.
Fear not, and open someone’s eyes.