God's Masterpiece & You

“But Lord,” exclaimed Ananias, “I’ve heard many people talk about the terrible things this man has done to the believers in Jerusalem!  And he is authorized by the leading priests to arrest everyone who calls upon your name.”

But the Lord said, “Go, for Saul is my chosen instrument to take my message to the Gentiles and to kings, as well as to the people of Israel.  And I will show him how much he must suffer for my name’s sake.”

So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”  Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized.  Acts 9:13-18

It was an opportunity.  I thought that I could write devotions.  When someone asked me why, I shrugged.  No way would I be qualified enough to write on biblical topics that many people studied years for.  Some were well versed in writing, and others had greater biblical understanding of God’s word.  Neither of these were things I possessed.  To be honest, it had been a long while since I had even been to church regularly.  So I answered, “If you have someone who has a better spiritual understanding, giving them the opportunity (to write devotions) would be great, and I would be happy to continue learning more for when it will be my time.  But if no one does answer the call, rest assured I will take this on and do well.”  That’s a pretty bold statement for someone who had never written a devotional before.  To be honest, I do not remember even writing that last part, but perhaps it was a case where God knew my heart.  That’s when my relationship with God really started.  That was over twelve years ago.  I have learned so much since then, and God has been so good to me.  Yet, it is this, my most bold and humble beginning, that remind me that I am but a mere instrument in God’s master painting.

We are all part of God’s plan.  Our mission is to be brave enough to live it out.  The story of Ananias and Paul is always one to remember when seeking one’s journey of faith.  On one side, it talks about Ananias’ faithfulness to follow the instruction of God.  The other speaks to Saul finding his true calling from God.  Both are compelling for we can see two paths converge.  First, the very beginning of Paul’s journey that would lead him toward being arguably the most important figure in the New Testament.  By the same token, would there even be a Paul had there not been the faithfulness of an Ananias?  Maybe, but as the saying goes, “Sometime you choose the moment, and other times, the moment chooses you.”  You see, God has all of us playing a role in His masterpiece.  Our job is not to play idle and simply absorb knowledge of His word and Kingdom.  Ours is to bring His word to life through actions and deeds.  We are to be humble in His calling of us and bold in our response to it.

God does not just call on a select few.  He looks for all of His people to lay their troubles down at His feet, and pursue His will for our lives.  It may be a scary proposition, but David answers it best in the 27^th Psalm saying:

The Lord is my light and my salvation—
    so why should I be afraid?
The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,
    so why should I tremble?  Psalm 27:1

So let us be encouraged by a God who can handle any obstacle we can imagine, and move forward toward being the people God always intended us to be.  Where can you show greater courage through trusting in God’s plan for your life?  What bold idea has God placed on your mind, heart and soul?  My prayer is that we submit to God’s will to become part of God’s masterpiece.  Amen.