My Own Little World

Hebrews 6:10 (NIV)-God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them.

A teenager reached out to me on social media.  He is living on the outside of his old life because of a mistake he made.   I didn’t know how to reply and felt torn between avoiding the situation completely or basing my actions on a sermon I heard that day on reaching out to outsiders. I responded to his online message, but as the messages continued, I was on high alert for anything in the situation that could create a problem in my own little world.  

As a teacher, was it even okay to reply to his messages? He was clearly asking for help when he said he didn’t know how to smooth out broken relationships and regain the trust of the parents of his best friends he had lost. What if I spoke up for him and he made a mistake again?  I think he deserves a second chance, but I certainly understand why other parents might not want their kids around him.  I told him regaining trust and rebuilding friendships may be a much longer process than he is hoping for, but to hang in there and keep doing the right thing.  I wasn’t comfortable doing more and wasn’t even sure what to do. This situation made me realize how often potential risks stop me from seeing what really matters because I’d rather avoid anything that feels even a little threatening.  

Acts 9 describes a situation that Ananias wanted to avoid, but he had to face it to be obedient to Jesus.  Saul was headed to Damascus with a plan to arrest anyone he found who trusted in Jesus.  He hated Christ and all who were associated with him.  The followers, including Ananias, must have been on high alert because of his threats to continue the terrible things he had done in Jerusalem. Then Jesus came to Ananias in a vision and told him to go find Saul and say Jesus had sent him.  

He must have been terrified to go find this man taking prisoners and threatening murder to anyone who believed in Jesus.  His voice was likely full of pleading, fear and doubt when he said, “ “Master, you can’t be serious. Everybody’s talking about this man and the terrible things he’s been doing, his reign of terror against your people in Jerusalem! And now he’s shown up here with papers from the Chief Priest that give him license to do the same to us.”Acts 9:13-14 (MSG)

But Jesus had the plan in motion. He had  already met Saul on his journey to Damascus causing Saul to fall to the ground by a light that blinded him. He had told Saul in his dream about Ananias’ arrival.  Jesus knew this was going to end well.  So when Ananias questioned him, he told him, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.” Acts 9:15

So Ananias obeyed and went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord—Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here—has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength.” Acts 9:17

Because of Ananias’ obedience Saul was transformed by the Holy Spirit.  Saul was then able to fulfill what Jesus wanted, ”I am sending you to them to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’ Acts 26:17-18 (NIV)

Ananias was obedient despite doubt and fear.  Can I also learn to be obedient or will I continue to let my doubts and fears hold me back?  Will I try to tell Jesus all the reasons this plan makes no sense?  Because to our limited perspective, what Jesus is calling us to do may not make sense. But just as it was with Ananias and Paul, His plan has a purpose.  He sees the big picture and knows how it will end when he calls us.  Here are three things to consider in my own little world taken from this story in Acts 9.

High alert

It is normal to be on high alert when anything feels threatening.  We want to avoid these situations, but Ananias couldn’t avoid finding Saul because that was part of Jesus’ plan. There are threats worth facing to be obedient and to help someone else.  

High authority

Saul had authority from the high priests to arrest Jesus’ followers in Damascus, but that meant nothing because Jesus was the higher authority and stopped Saul in his tracks. What am I allowing to have higher authority than God?  It’s not right to allow others or our fears to play God in our lives. I know I must quit worrying what others think and focus on what Jesus would want.

High time

When Ananias questioned going to Saul, Jesus said go!  He didn’t reconsider because Ananias was scared.  Jesus knew the next part of the plan and Ananias followed through.  Too often my feelings can make me freeze into doing nothing, but I need to be connecting with God on a regular basis so I can be obedient when God says go.  

Father, break my heart for what breaks Yours

Give me open hands and open doors

Put Your light in my eyes and let me see

That my own little world is not about me

What if there's a bigger picture?

What if I'm missing out?

What if there's a greater purpose?

That I could be living right now

I don't wanna miss what matters

I wanna be reaching out

Show me the greater purpose

So I can start living right now

Outside my own little world, my own little world, my own little world