Yes, Lord

Before Paul began stumbling around in the darkness, Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. As far as we know, God had never spoken to Ananias, personally, before the moment he told him to go visit Saul of Tarsus. And, as far as we know, God had never spoken to Saul until, one day, walking along the road, he was blinded in the same moment that he met God. He lost the vision he had for his life – whatever goals or dreams he may have had immediately faded into the darkness that surrounded him. Where once, he saw clearly, now… nothing.

Ananias, on the other hand, was beginning to see God’s ever-working grace more clearly than he had wanted to imagine. God spoke to him and called him to step into faith. At first he objected, Lord, it’s not safe, Saul (aka Paul) was a dangerous enemy of the faith. Notice that God does nothing to reassure Annanias of his safety, instead, God simply says “Go!” and insists that it is part of his purpose. Ananias obeyed.

I am not sure how much to read into this, but I like the way Ananias begins his conversation with God. God calls him by name and Ananias answers, "Yes, Lord." That’s why I say that Ananias had adjusted his heart to hear God. Saul said, “Who are you , Lord?” which is fine, but Ananias said, “Yes.”

Those two words can say a lot about who we are. They are the most important wards we say. "Yes"..."Lord." Not “no” and not “buddy”. Not “What do you want? Perhaps after I evaluate your request I can give you a better answer.” and not “BFF.”

“Yes” is accepting, affirming, intentional. “Lord” is relationship, priority, humility. That simple phrase says, “I don’t know where this conversation is going, but it is going your way, Jesus.” And then, Ananias and Paul saw things they never imagined. With their eyes and with their hearts they saw mercy and mission as they could not have seen otherwise; mercy and mission that endures beyond that time.

All because Ananias said, “Yes, Lord.”