Just Such A TimeSample

 A Time To Be Interrupted

There are moments in life where we simply can’t help but be stopped in our tracks. The loss of a person dear to us; a news report depicting tragedy. Sometimes we can only describe it as “life interrupted”. 

For the man who would later be called the Apostle Paul, interrupted would be too soft a term for the dramatic intervention of Jesus into his life on the road to Damascus. But alongside the drama of Paul’s conversion there is Ananias – the quiet disciple who acted with obedience for just such a time. We’d all like to have that miracle moment, when God appears and we’re left in no doubt that He has spoken, but perhaps we can learn more about our purpose from the life of Ananias? 

Whatever else he had dreamed for his life, I’m fairly sure being sent to lay hands on a man known for killing Christians wasn’t on his top five list most wanted ministry callings. Yet Ananias was the one God chose to use. 

I love that he questioned the prompt of the Spirit, worrying about the outcome. That should give us some encouragement when we feel that stepping out and risking our faith might have an adverse outcome. Yet, we know already that God is extracting something positive from even the bleakest of situations, working for our good!

Perhaps the best encouragement we can take from Ananias is that he was interruptible. When the voice of the Lord spoke to him, he was firstly able to hear it. 

Are we able to hear above the noise, the chaos, the busyness of life, to allow God to interject with directions?

Secondly, Ananias responded. Are we willing to respond?

I like to think I would be obedient, but in similar circumstances I’m not sure I would be. 

It wouldn’t have been what I wanted.

It wouldn’t have been who I wanted. 

Yet Ananias demonstrates to us the power of being able to be interrupted. His faithfulness extended to someone unexpected and it released into the Kingdom one of the greatest heroes of our faith. His love for Jesus extended to loving a man with a “reputation”. 

Whatever desires or ambition he had were eclipsed by his profound belief that Father God knows best. 

Perhaps we can begin today with the same attitude? 

Lord, help us become those who hear your voice; whose pursuit of purpose does not overlook people; who can be forever interrupted in our day to day, to daily reconnect with our purpose.