I AM HERE, LORD – ACTS 9:10
Acts 9:10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
Ananias had heard that of the deeds of Saul back in Jerusalem. Ananias understood that Saul was coming to Damascus to persecute the Christians. Most likely, Ananias was seeking the Lord trying to determine what God would have him to do. Did God desire him to flee or did God desire him to stand? Was this to be the end of his life or did God have greater plans for him?
Ananias was ready to hear from the Lord and thus when the Lord spoke to him in a vision, he was quick to reply. Ananias was eagerly waiting to see the direction the Lord had for him and now the Lord was speaking. However, Ananias did not hear what he thought the Lord was going to say. God brought a completely different message to Ananias. Instead of running or hiding, God was telling Ananias to go to his enemy and heal him.
God does not always fit into our perfect little box. We sometimes come to God and ask HIM should it be option A or option B. Do not try to limit God because God often has option C which is so much better than anything we could have ever imagined. When we are faced with a difficult situation, rather than insisting on giving God options, come to HIM with an open mind and allow HIM to be God and to direct you in the way that HE knows is best.
When Samuel was young and God called him in the night, Samuel was not expecting to hear the voice of God and as such, he kept running to Eli trying to see what he wanted. Samuel had to be instructed by Eli on how to respond to God before Samuel was ready to recognize the voice of God and understand the message God had for his life. Ananias did not have the same problem that Samuel had. Ananias understood how to hear the voice of God and thus when he heard it; he was ready to follow the direction that God had for him.
Ananias was seeking the Lord and the Lord rewarded the faithfulness of Ananias by directing him in the way that he should go. You do not know the plans that God has for you. However, if you continue to seek HIM, HE will open your eyes and show you HIS perfect path. Do not be afraid to seek the will of God. Do not allow uncertainty in what the Lord might say to you to discourage you from following HIS perfect path. God has great plans for you if you will continue to seek HIM and allow HIM to direct your path.
Understanding the ways of God means that you must allow yourself to be flexible so that God can reveal to you HIS perfect will. Just because you feel you know the way the Lord is leadings, you must continue to seek HIM and allow HIM to change your plans in accordance with what HE knows is best for you. Remember, God knows everything, if HE were to let you have your way; it could lead you in a direction that you ultimately do not want to go. A path may appear to be great today, but you do not always know what tomorrow may bring.
You need to follow the example of Ananias. You need to learn to seek the Lord. As you draw closer to God, HE will reward you by showing you the way you are to go. However, do not be so inflexible that you refuse to follow the direction of God because it was not one of the options that you were contemplating. Instead, watch and see how God opens the doors in your life and be willing and ready to obey HIM. God knows what is best for you; you need to start spending the time seeking HIS perfect will so that you can truly be happy.