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.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.
- Acts 9:17-18

For all Ananias knew, Saul remained a danger and a threat. But the Lord had told Ananias to go and that everything would work out okay. So Ananias had faith and put his faith to work.

Let’s take a minute to celebrate Ananias’ courageous faith. Look at the work of the Lord in his life. As we saw yesterday, Ananias had numerous reasons to refuse to approach Saul. His very life was on the line, as was the safety of the church in Damascus. Ananias’ willingness to go to Saul required him to move forward even in the face of fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. But he trusted the Lord. And the whole world has been changed as a result.

Saul responded to Ananias’ visit and became a follower of Jesus. He is better known by his Roman name: Paul. Over the next several decades, the Lord would use the Apostle Paul to plant a network of churches that would continue for generations and to write most of the books in the New Testament. Every corner of our faith in Jesus has been impacted by the life, ministry, and testimony of the Apostle Paul. All of this is the fruit of Ananias’ faithfulness.

What might God do with your faithfulness? Your work in the nursery could change someone’s eternal destiny. Your witness to your neighbor could save a marriage. Your decision to speak up honestly at work could tip over the first dominos in a chain that could lead to the prevention of a huge crisis, the cure of a terrible disease, or a tremendous amount of healthy laughter and celebration. God is actively at work through our small acts of faithfulness to change lives and engage our world for good.

Take some time today to dream a little. Pick one small act of faithfulness where you showed courage for Jesus’ sake. Ask the Lord to open your imagination and help you see how he could use that faithfulness to change lives and engage our world for good. Thank him for whatever light you see.