9:17 And Ananias went
his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother
Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me
that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately
there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at
once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had
received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the
disciples at Damascus.
To simple but critical truths were brought to my attention
this morning. The first is that "Ananias went his way..." And what
way was that? He went straight to Saul the hunter of those following Jesus.
It's a subtle and simple point but absolutely imperative to understand. God never
forces us to do anything. He gave Ananias an assignment but carrying it out was
entirely his choice. When Ananias went to meet Saul it was his choice. He went
his way...
People often wonder why the world is in such a mess if God is
so good and loving and all powerful. The reason is simple. God gives us
instructions and then we are free to "go our way". It started with
the instruction to avoid one tree and then Eve ignored the instructions. She
was free to do so because love never ever forces. The world being a mess has
nothing to do with God and everything to do with our choices.

His way is to involve us in the great work of restoring His
image in us. The more I contemplate that simple idea the more incredible it is.
What a patient and loving Father!
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