Acts 9 - a Paul in our midst?

"Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name..." (Acts 9:15)

Chapter 9 marks the start of Paul (Saul)'s sufferings for the Lord.

"For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name's sake." (Acts 9:16)

In this chapter alone, we read of him fleeing twice. First, from Damascus to Jerusalem (9:25). Then, from Jerusalem to Tarsus (9:30).

With such, Saul started his life for the Lord.

I don't think many of us started our lives for the Lord in this manner. In fact, we are all very blessed. We do not have to be killed just because we preach Jesus. Have we then counted our blessings?

However, the main point I would like to make in today's sharing is how Ananias was initially reluctant to go to Saul.

"Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. ..." (Acts 9:13)

But the Lord asked him to go ahead for He has chosen him.

I was just encouraging an elderly truth-seeker to grab hold of every opportunity to preach to her mother. Her mother is already very old and frail, and while we were chatting, this truth-seeker kept insisting that she cannot do anything anymore. In fact, her mother did mention about baptism, but this truth-seeker was saying that she cannot do it, because all her siblings and relatives will come after her. She also mentioned about how water baptism in living water is impossible for her mother since she is already so weak physically.

And so I told her to take a step at a time. I told her to tell her local church's ministers first and see what they say. Perhaps they can arrange a visiting and help to pray. Taking a step at a time, who knows how God will guide, right?

I also told her that we cannot be the ones to decide another person's salvation. If we refrain from sharing the truth to another, we are as good as declining that person's salvation. And that person's blood will be on our heads! God has placed us in this time and place to reach out to the people around us. We are the ones in their lives that may ever give them the chance to know about the truth, and if we don't share, we are the ones responsible for their souls in hell, isn't it?

As I was sharing these thoughts with her, I was also thinking of my own family members. And I know those words that came out of my mouth were also meant for my own edification.

"Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name..." (Acts 9:15)

While it may seem impossible at the moment for our unbelieving loved ones to believe in Lord Jesus, who knows whom God might choose right? We need only just to go, and be witnesses for Christ. Who knows, there might be another Paul in our midst, whom God has chosen among the "impossibles", to work for Him.

Everything, and anything, is possible with God, right? :)