[Tuesday's Devotional] - What are you afraid of?

The Lord told [Ananias], "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 many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem.  And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."

But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. Acts 9:11-15 [NIV]

How would you like to be Ananias, called by God to go and heal a man who is breathing "murderous threats" against you and your fellow Christians?  Would you do it?  I think I would have to be so sure it was God speaking.  But just imagine how good Ananias must have felt when it all worked out, that he was God's instrument for change, releasing probably the most powerful evangelist and theologian the world has ever seen.

A friend challenged me with the phrase "What would you do if you weren't afraid?"  Some would argue that fear is a God given feeling for our self-preservation, and I certainly wouldn't advocate taking stupid risks that we're not called to or have very little potential impact for good.

I think a lot of our fears are relational.  The number one fear is public speaking, and that is one that controls me, but not as much as it used to.  A few years ago I volunteered to go into Onley prison to help with the chapel service on a Sunday.  To my surprise I was asked to take a turn speaking at the service.  After trying to squirm out of it (you know it's not my thing, Lord) I spent a sleepless night before delivering my nervous talk.  It wasn't earth shattering, no scales dropped from people's eyes as far as I know, but I do think God started to change me, and reduce my fear of public speaking.

Do you have some fears that God is calling you to face?  Do you think that may be part of your spiritual growth?  What would you do if you weren't afraid?

Jon Seaton

 

Read the Bible in a year: Psalms 73: 15-28, 2 Samuel 22:1-23:7, Acts 9:1-31