Follow Directions

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

FOLLOW DIRECTIONS

Acts 9:10-19

10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered. 11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."  13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name." 15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."  17 Then Ananias 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." 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.

NIV

First, we should acknowledge that the Lord speaks to his people. With Ananias, it was within a vision. The Greek word used is horama, which has a direct meaning of that which is seen, or gazed upon, a sight, a spectacle. We believe Ananias saw the Lord. That is, Jesus appeared spectacularly before Ananias and told him what he was supposed to do.  Interestingly, Ananias had a conversation with the Lord. From this exchange, understand the Lord had special plans for both Ananias and for Saul. Secondly, we should understand that the Lord is not silent about his desire for his people to walk in a certain way, direction, or path, or to have a special task to fulfill. Of course, we can always turn to the sacred scriptures to hear our Lord's words on the path we should all walk as believers. However, some have declared a special calling in the ministry, either as pastors, missionaries, evangelists, or in another specialty area. How was that call received? Did the Lord appear to them in a vision and inform them of their calling? Was it just a feeling, a sense of knowing what they were supposed to do? If it were a feeling, how could it be determined whether the feeling was inspired by the self or the Lord? Ananias had no doubt about what was expected of him, for he saw the Lord and received direct instructions. It is possible that we could receive a calling directly from the Lord, and it is also possible that the Spirit within moves us into the place where he can use us for his purpose, revealing the calling through others who verify that we have the call of God to a specific task. Certainly, the Lord intervened spectacularly in Saul's life, giving him directions. Then he intervened miraculously in the life of Ananias to help accomplish his purpose for Saul. We could get that same kind of push into the Lord's purpose for our lives, either through a vision with direct contact from the Lord, or through the assistance of someone who has been directed to us. However, the Lord determines how he wants to direct our lives; we will be directed. Of course, that also means we need to listen and follow directions.