Small act, big impact
We meet all sorts of people in life. Some become lifelong friends and make a big impact on us, whilst others we see for a while, then drift apart.
Sometimes we meet people for a short time, but what they say, has a big effect on our life.
A few months ago, I was contacted by a man who I had never met before. He wanted to know about God and our church.
He said that in his job he had met somebody who mentioned that our church had been really helpful to them. So much so that he decided to check us out.
I invited him to visit us on a Sunday, and to come along to the Alpha course we were running at the time. He decided to do both. He couldn’t believe it, when he came along to Alpha, that he met an old school friend who was also on the course!
Since then, this man has discovered more about God, connected with others in the church and is on his own faith journey! All this happened because of one small thing someone said to him.
There is a story in the Bible about a man called Saul, who whilst persecuting the early church, had a dramatic encounter with God which left him blind, in a city called Damascus.
Meanwhile, God spoke to a man called Ananias, a Christian in Damascus, and told him to go and pray for Saul so that his sight would be restored. Reluctant at first, Ananias was obedient to God, and said…
““Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus – who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here – has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again.”
Saul’s life was changed at that moment because Ananias prayed for him. Saul changed his name to Paul, and he became the most significant person in the latter part of the New Testament.
He travelled extensively, preaching the Gospel, performing miracles as well as starting numerous churches in many countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Paul also wrote many letters to these churches, of which 13 of them are in the New Testament.
What I find fascinating is that we never read of Ananias again after he prayed for Saul! Ananias was significant in Saul coming to faith (and changing his name). His prayer had a big impact on Paul.
Let me encourage you to be obedient to what God asks you to do. It may seem insignificant, but you never know what may come of it…
God bless you :)
Gary Bastin - Hope Community Church leader