A Conduit for God

Two things struck me (pardon the pun) as I read today’s story from Acts (9:1-20) that tells of Saul’s conversion to Paul.

1. “For three days he was without sight, and neither ate nor drank.”

Three days! To us who come from the Passover, these "three days" say a lot. Three days in the tomb are just the prelude to a totally new life. So it is that Saul, baptized, becomes Paul: another person, a leader of God!

2. Ananias

He was a disciple the Lord chose in a vision to act as a conduit to aid in the conversion of Saul. Ananias feared Saul and rightly so for Saul was going around persecuting the early followers of Christ.

What impresses me is that the Lord will come to those who are doing good or evil and offers them an opportunity to convert others and also to be converted. Are we ready to answer the call? Or does fear hold us back?

Ananias was a conduit who helped make Paul an even bigger conduit for God. Each of us has infinite value and each of us has the ability to make a profound impact on the lives we touch. It’s in not how busy we are but in the example we set that leaves a lasting impression on others. It was put to me by one such man in this way, “I would like to see my tombstone inscribed with ‘Inspired others,’ rather than, ‘Never missed a day at the office.”

The more I think of Ananias the more I think of the Italian word, compare, meaning Godfather. Ananias would be a wonderful Godfather or sponsor for the sacrament of Baptism.

Ironically later on Paul would be tried in front of a high priest also named Ananias.