by Amy White, M.A. LMHC.
History of the person
What price do we Americans pay to be a follower of Christ? Most of us know what it feels like to be forced into a stereotype. You know the kind I mean: one which paints all Christians as legalistic, rigid, and rather uninformed about life. We are often viewed as a group of folks who still believe in an antiquated book composed of nothing more than stories. Sometimes we are the recipients of cutting remarks and some individuals have even felt they were not accepted into an educational institution or given a certain job due to their openness regarding the expression of their faith. While our egos may get bruised a bit, these experiences are far from life-threatening. I wonder if it is even possible to know the cost of discipleship for those of us residing within the comfort of American soil. Have you ever wondered what you would do if God asked you to do something that could put your life or the lives of those you love at risk? Would you do it? Ananias did.
Ananias was a follower of Christ who lived in Damascus during the time of the New Testament Church. Ananias had a vision in which the Lord revealed Himself to this faithful servant. The Lord had a mission that needed to be completed and Ananias was chosen. Ananias was instructed by the Lord to find Saul. “And the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the street which is called Straight and inquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus. For behold, he is praying and has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him so that he might receive his sight.” (Act 9:11-12)
Finding a man, touching him, and telling him that he can see—no danger there. It is an easy assignment, unless you know something about this man named Saul. Ananias had heard frightening tales of this man, a great persecutor of the Christians. Have you ever read about the apostle Paul’s pre-conversion days when he was referred to as Saul of Tarsus? He not only consented to the stoning of Stephen, “But Saul ravaged the church, entering into every house. And dragging men and women, he delivered them up to prison.” (Act 8:3). There are more gruesome descriptions of Saul’s escapades:
And Saul, still breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples
of the Lord, went to the high priest and asked letters from him to Damascus
to the synagogues; so that if he found any of the Way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. (Act 9:1-2)
Ananias had some reservations. “And Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many of this man, how many evil things he has done to Your saints at Jerusalem.” (Acts 9:13 ). Ananias had reason to doubt, to fear; however, the Lord paid no attention to his concerns. “But the Lord said to him, Go! For this one is a chosen vessel to Me, to bear My name before nations and kings and the sons of Israel. For I will show him what great things he must suffer for My name's sake.” (Act 9:15-16) What would you have done if you were Ananias? Would you have made haste or tried to escape through the back door? Ananias, like many others of his day, was willing to tread on dangerous ground for his faith.
It surprises many students of Scripture that, except for the Apostle John, all of the original disciples died as martyrs, as did many other early Christians. Standing for their Lord was risky business. Throughout history there have been scores of others who have given their very lives for their faith as well. Foxe’s Book of Martyrs describes not only the persecution of the early Christians, but the difficult days endured by such men as Constantine, William Tyndale, and Martin Luther, among others. Living as a disciple of Christ has for many, not been easy.
It is probably fair to say that the period of comfort, prosperity and privilege we have experienced in our nation has given us occasion to forget what dying for our faith really means. It is also somewhat frightening to consider how few of us would be prepared and willing to put our lives on the line for what we believe. So in the midst of God’s bounty, Satan may be secretly working away at turning a portion of God’s army into mush. In that weakened condition, easy to defeat, not very useable by the One we serve.
Life Lesson
Ananias had evidence that Saul was a formidable adversary of the faith. Yet, his Lord gave him an assignment. Ananias did as he was told. As a result, he was privileged to be a part of one of the world’s most amazing conversions. Ananias was spared hardship. What is significant, though, is that Ananias was willing to be used for God’s purposes, whatever the cost.
Life Question
No matter where you are in life, no matter what your struggles or how greatly you’re blessed, are you ready to follow God’s instructions whatever the cost? If not, what do you need to do to be fully equipped and prepared to be a strong defender in God’s army?
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