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Acts 9:1-19
Acts 9:1-19
Holy places are often found in the hard spaces of life. I was reminded of this truth recently, as I had the honor of being with a few families as their loved one neared death. This is a hard space to enter into, no matter how many times you’ve done it. It’s an even harder, excruciating space for those families. But in those moments — as I shared God’s Word and we clung to His promises; as we prayed fervent, heartfelt prayers, trusting in what Jesus had accomplished and the life that He gave; as tears intermingled with short bouts of laughter and songs of praise to the God who created and redeemed their loved one and them — my eyes were opened to the Holy place God had created in this hard space. It’s a place where God and His promises and love and the hope He gives became unavoidably real and tangible. The heartache and pain didn’t go away, but God had brought beauty in the midst of it.
It was a good reminder of what a privilege it is to enter into the hard spaces of life with other people. And this is exactly where God calls us to be.
We see this in our scripture passage for this week:
“But Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked him for letters to the synagogues at Damascus, so that if he found any belonging to the Way, men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 Now as he went on his way, he approached Damascus, and suddenly a light from heaven shone around him. 4 And falling to the ground, he heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?” 5 And he said, “Who are you, Lord?” And he said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. 6 But rise and enter the city, and you will be told what you are to do.” 7 The men who were traveling with him stood speechless, hearing the voice but seeing no one. 8 Saul rose from the ground, and although his eyes were opened, he saw nothing. So they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And for three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias. The Lord said to him in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.” 11 And the Lord said to him, “Rise and go to the street called Straight, and at the house of Judas look for a man of Tarsus named Saul, for behold, he is praying, 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him so that he might regain his sight.” 13 But Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much evil he has done to your saints at Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.” 17 So Ananias departed and entered the house. And laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus who appeared to you on the road by which you came has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately something like scales fell from his eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he rose and was baptized; 19 and taking food, he was strengthened.”
Acts 9:1-19
This was a hard place for Saul. Called out by God, His purpose and core beliefs shaken, his sight taken, Saul was left waiting in the anguish of uncertainty. Into this hard place, God called Ananias. And as we can see by Ananias’ response, it was not an easy place for him to enter into either. It was uncomfortable and scary and full of uncertainty. But he went because God called him into it. And because he went, he got to be part of this holy place where God broke in and transformed Saul’s heart and life by His mercy and grace.
This is the great honor you and I are called into as followers of Jesus. We are called into the hard places of life with those around us. Yes, it may be undesirable, uncomfortable, and uncertain, but our God has Promised to go with us. He doesn’t call us because we have all the right answers or so we can fix things for people. He simply calls us to go and be a tangible experience of His love, to share His promises, and to trust Him to show up and work in those hard spaces.
Holy Places in Hard Spaces
This is an amazing privilege and honor, and something we should not shy away from. Don’t let fear and excuses keep you from entering into the hard spaces of life with others. We have a big and loving God who’s working even in those spaces, and He’s inviting you to be a part of it.
As you consider this scripture and reflect this week, respond to the following questions:
1. How have you experienced the beauty of God’s presence in the hard spaces of life? Were there people God used to help you see and experience His loving presence in that time?
2. What excuses often keep you from entering into the hard spaces of life with other people? Write these down, then pray over these. Ask that God would give you courage to press past these excuses to be a tangible experience of His love to those around you.