How Bad Choices Block Out God's Plans

13Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
Acts 9:13-14 NKJV

One of the many things I LOVE about God is that His plans DO NOT need to make sense. They just don’t. I’ve tried to figure them out and I can’t. And just when I think I’ve done it, He shows me just how limited my vision is. Here we read Ananias having one of these moments.

God has just asked him to go and find this dude named Saul, a dude that’s been PERSECUTING all the Jesus people (the Church), and HELP him. Ananias’ response?

“Are you smoking crack?!? Ain’t nobody got time for that!”

Well, maybe that’s not exactly how he responded, maybe that’s how I would’ve responded, however, Ananias still responded with fear and doubt. He knew of Saul’s reputation. He knew what Saul had been doing. He knew about Saul’s past. He knew that he wanted nothing to do with this guy because it most likely wouldn't end well for him. Again, God’s plans don’t HAVE TO make sense.

15But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
Acts 9:15-16 NKJV

I’m not a fan of the word BUT. To me, it removes anything said before it…

I’m sorry, but…
You were great today, but…
I love you, but…

God does that very thing right here. He opens up with a BUT. He takes all of Ananias’ fear, doubts, and worries and says, “It’s ok. I got this.” God assures Ananias that this is all part of HIS plan and HIS plans are greater. In spite of his apprehension Ananias listened to God, went against his better judgment, and went after Saul.

It didn’t make sense, but it didn’t matter. God spoke. Ananias obeyed. The end.

Reflect:

• What is it about your past that leaves you doubting God could or would ever use you to do something awesome?
• Who have you recently judged because they LOOKED different or TALKED different?
• Who do you know that’s desperately in need of a second chance?
• What has God been trying to do in your life that fear, doubt, and worry have blocked out?