Small Acts of Obedience

       My title today was inspired by the story of Paul's conversion, but not Paul himself. Recently when I read this story I was struck with how God binds us together in ways we will not understand in this world, one small act of obedience can ripple out in ways we can not imagine. When the Holy Spirit urges you to care for, pray for, or just listen to someone else you could be making an impact too big to be seen at the present. 
       I’m reminded today specifically of Ananias, who by his act of obedience to the Lord was part of Paul’s conversion story(Acts 9:10-19). Ananias was commanded by the Lord, to go to Saul of Tarsus and restore his sight after the Lord had appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus. Ananias played a small part, but he is part of the story; he was led to Paul as part of the fulfillment of Paul's destiny. The call to aid a believer in this scenario was clear, because Ananias heard it directly but most often that isn't the case. Sometimes it’s just a feeling, a stirring inside you that you should do something, or talk to someone in particular. Often, at least in my experience, this stirring is accompanied by fear or doubt. This was true in the case with Ananias as well, but, as Ananias shows us, faith in God means setting aside those fears and doubts to serve His call in obedience for the big and small. We don’t usually get the benefit of hearing directly from God what our obedience will bring about like Ananias did, but have no doubt that even your smallest acts of obedience can bring forth amazing results!

 I used this as an example because with Ananias's act of obedience Paul was set onto a path to become a great messenger for God. Now, I want you think if he had not obeyed the Lord. I am sure God could and perhaps would have found someone else, but this was the purpose he called Ananias for, he was chosen to be there for Paul, to heal and baptize him in the Lord's service at just the right time. Ananias had his doubts, but serving His Father was more important. I shared this because I never want you to think that what you were asked to do is too small to make a difference; just going and praying over someone can unleash the Holy Spirit in big ways. Never think it won't matter, a kind word can change someone's entire outlook on the day. And don't worry that it doesn't make sense to you, it makes sense to the Father, and it's part of His plan for not only you but someone else. Don't miss your opportunity to be someone's blessing, when the Lord urges you, obey, you never know how far the ripples will spread. Be Blessed.

    
1 Corinthians 1:25-29 

25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

26 Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27 But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28 God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, 29 so that no one may boast before him.