"I have heard..."

"In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!"

"Yes, Lord," he answered.

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. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard..." (Acts 9:10-13a)

When I was reading through this passage the other day, I had to stop right there. Think of the number of responses that can follow this phrase. I realized that in spite of the number of times I've read this chapter, I expected an "I have heard and I'm off to do what you asked," or "I have heard and I'm on it." Something like that.

Ananias chose a very human response. He did not take the attitude "to hear is to obey." Ananias had something he had to clear up with God first.

"Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."(vs. 13)

Ananias had just heard from God. A one-on-one, personal message from the Lord. But he did not respond in the manner of Samuel who answered "Speak, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:10). The voices he was paying attention to at that moment were those bearing the rumors, the news stories, the updates and all the bad news. Not surprising, really, is it though? After all, this chapter begins with Saul "breathing out murderous threats." Ananias had to be very well aware that he was one of the people Saul had permission to imprison or to kill. Whether he was thinking of the risk to himself or just reminding God what was at stake, Ananias had to verify God's request.

"Lord ... I have heard many reports about this man..."

("God, are you sure?")

The good news is that Ananias obeyed. I'm guessing it was probably one of the most difficult things he had to do in his lifetime, even with God's assurance. (Although if you read on, he had quite a time convincing the other disciples not to be afraid of Saul.) And yet, look how his obedience changed the world for all time. Saul went on to become the disciple Paul and one of the most fearless leaders of the early church!

What's the lesson to us?

I think it's this - Ask if you must, but ultimately, go. And you never now how God will use your obedience to change the world.