When I first came to know the Lord, I wanted so badly to serve Him in a powerful way. After all, He had just forgiven me of my sins and rescued me from eternal death. When I first asked Him to forgive me, I told Him that I would do anything He asked. And I would go anywhere He sent me. I didn’t want some little insignificant job. No, I wanted a big job that would make an impact on the Kingdom. But I quickly learned that God doesn’t give us small jobs. He sent me into the mission field. One of the greatest mission fields God ever gave me was the one right inside the four walls of our home. Raising our children to love the Lord resulted in them raising their children to love the Lord. And I almost missed that, looking for something bigger.
God shows us someone (in the scriptures) that we might overlook. Although we only see him briefly and we see him perform only one small job, he had an incredible impact on the bible and the entire global advancement of the gospel throughout the ages. He is proof that God doesn’t give us small jobs.
The person that I am speaking of is Ananias. We only see this particular Ananias (there are 3) in two places in scripture. The first time we see him is in Acts 9. It says, “10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”, “Yes, Lord,” he answered. 11 The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Ananias hesitated a little because he had heard about this man Saul. So, he didn’t rush out the door to do what the Lord had asked. This man Saul had been persecuting Christians. Therefore, Ananias was a little fearful.
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”
But the Lord was not going to hear fearful excuses and He told Ananias to “Go!” Because God had plans for Saul. And He had a job for Ananias to do.
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
So, Ananias went. He did what God asked.
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he 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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.
And later, in Acts 13:9, Saul became the Apostle Paul. “9 Then Saul, who was also called Paul…” The man who wrote approximately 28% of the New Testament came to know Jesus as His personal Lord and Savior because Ananias was obedient. God asked him to take care of a little job that He needed to have done. But clearly, God doesn’t give us small jobs.
So, when God sends you on a mission, no matter how little it may seem, remember that He doesn’t give us small jobs. His ways are not our ways. His purposes are eternal. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:9.
Father God, thank you for your love for us. Thank you that you love us so abundantly. Help us to remember that there are no small jobs with you. And help us to be obedient in the way that Ananias was. Use us mightily for your Kingdom purposes, Lord. We love you and pray this in Jesus precious and Holy name. Amen.
Do you find it hard to believe that God loves you and would even have jobs for you to do? I did as well. I never dreamed that God wanted a relationship with me. Or that He could even use me. But He does want a relationship with me and He does have jobs for me. And He does want a relationship with you and He does have jobs for you. God loves you so much. He wants to adopt you into His family.
All that God asks is that you desire a relationship with Him too. And He asks that you pray a simple prayer of repentance. There is a prayer like this outlined on our Life Preserver page (https://forgiven-n-loved.com/life-preserver/). Please go to this page and pray (from the bottom of your heart) this simple prayer. Then reach out to me at admin@Forgiven-N-Loved.com and let me know. I’d love to be in prayer with and for you.
Luv Ya!
