Do we tend to side-step ministry that is right in front of us? Busy schedules, comfort zones, and plain old selfishness tend to claim the top reasons for such ministry inactivity. It is easy to state we would serve God (when we believe He will not call us to foreign missions). So, the question is worth asking. Are we truly willing to serve God around the world…or even just right where we are?
We can talk about a deeper relationship with Jesus. We can study about a deeper relationship with Jesus. We can even theorize about a deeper relationship with Jesus. However, there comes a point when we must actually pursue living a deeper relationship with Jesus with the advantage of an experienced, more mature Christian guiding us along the way.
Faith increases through genuine relationship with God. Faith is not grown in the lion’s den, but rather practiced in the lion’s den. Faith increases in the small daily choices of Bible reading, prayer, church attendance, Bible study, teachableness, and a surrendered heart. Yet we sometimes are okay with little relationship with God during times of comfort and wonder why we struggle in crisis.
Establishing a new track record takes time! One of the biggest mistakes people make in rebuilding trust is either assuming they never can rebuild trust or expressing frustration at how long it takes. When we complain about the process, we end up minimizing the hurt we caused those with whom we are needing to rebuild trust.
The context of Acts 9:17 is actually seen in Acts 8:1, 3 and Acts 9:13-16. The path Ananias was asked to choose was to approach a known persecutor of his friends and church leaders. This could be like going into a dark alley of a bad neighborhood! Yet, when God answers Ananias one question, Ananias goes. The absence of additional questions is the presence of faith in God.
