But I Don't Want To Do It Lord!

God showed Saul on the road to Damascus who was boss. To make the point he blinded him for three days and told him to go into the city and wait, that he would be told what to do. Ananias was that faithful disciple who saw the Lord in a vision and heard him say to go find Saul, lay hands on him so that he could have his sight restored. Ananias wasn't happy about this mission. He had heard about the evil that Saul had done, the persecution of disciples, Saul's reputation. I can imagine that Ananias said,'But I don't want to do it Lord!' Never the less, he got over the discomfort, went to Saul, laid hands on him and Saul became Paul and the rest is history.

So often leaders have to do things they otherwise would not choose to do. Tough things that impact lives, churches, families, companies. The metal of a leader is tested in those moments. The smart ones do not lean on their own understanding, their rationale, their logic. The smart ones humbly surrender to God those tough decisions, necessary actions. Then they listen, really listen with an open mind and heart as to how God would have them proceed. For it is in faithful actions, choices and tough calls that God can create new beginnings. These leadership actions always impact people. What if Ananias had not responded to God's request that he go see Saul? How often have we as leaders succumbed to fear and anxiety and not acted when action was necessary? How often does our weakness result in situations getting worse, never being resolved, not changing for the better because we didn't want to do the very thing that God wanted us to do? What might have been if only we had surrendered, listened and acted out of humility and faithfulness? Leaders have a responsibility to face the tough stuff. The good news is that we have a God who will guide us, empower us, pick us up when we fall, and affirm us in our faithfulness. The next time you are tempted to not take action when your leadership calls for it, remember Ananias. His fearless, faithful actions ultimately impacted the Church forever. Will you let fear and anxiety stop you from doing something that might also have eternal significance?