A Vision For the Future | Wednesday | 9/23

Change Your Posture

Acts 9:1–18

Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”

Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”

Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything.

In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He answered, “Yes, Lord.”

The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.

The crickets were there the whole time.

Standing six feet above the grass, they were almost impossible to see. But crouch down, get close, and stay there long enough, and suddenly your eyes begin noticing things.

The crickets didn't change.

My posture did.

Something similar happened to Paul. Saul was convinced he could see clearly. He knew who was right, who was wrong, who belonged, and who didn't.

Then he encountered Jesus.

The man who thought he could see suddenly became blind. And when the scales eventually fell from his eyes, Paul didn't simply regain his old sight. He began seeing the whole world differently.

Enemies became brothers and sisters. Gentiles became members of the family. Weakness became a place for Christ's power. Prison became an opportunity for the Gospel.

Sometimes we ask God to change what we're looking at.

Perhaps God wants to change how we're looking.

Reflect: 

Is there a person or situation you may need Jesus to help you see differently?

Pray: 

Jesus, change my posture. Remove the assumptions that keep me from seeing clearly. Give me new eyes so that I can see people, circumstances, and possibilities the way you do. Amen.