Friday Reflection – May 28, 2021
Obedience is Important for Restoration
Good morning friends, blessed Friday to you all. This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. I invite you to journey with me as we take a few minutes to look at Acts 9: 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.” Acts 9:17 NIVhttps://bible.com/bible/111/act.9.17.NIV
Background:
 Most of us are familiar with  the story of Saul (Paul) and his Damascus road experience. He was on his way to seek out and throw in prison Christians who were living in that region. It was business as usual for Saul that day, but he had no clue his life was about to take 360 degree turn. 
Discussion:
While I read verse 1 to 17 of this chapter, I realized it was not only about Saul’s  (Paul) encounter with Jesus. It was also about Ananias’s encounter. The Lord appeared to him in a vision , giving him specific instructions to go to Saul and aid in the restoration of his sight. If Ananias was a Jamaican his response would sound something like this ‘ Mi??? Go to who??? Dat deh man  deh weh a kill haff Christian ppl leff rite an centa? Em nuh deserve fi si , him shudda blin long time!”
Jesus in his wisdom responded to Ananias explaining to him that this man Saul needed to be restore for His ( Jesus Christ) sake. Ananias now understood and was obedient to the Lord’s instructions.
Think about what would have happened if Ananias was disobedient. Look at the role Saul , now Paul played in the spreading if the gospel of Jesus. What if he was written off for his wrong doings? It is with that brothers and sisters that I say “Obedience is important to facilitate restoration, for yourself and also others”.
Application:
Too often we look at the worse in others because of what we know about them. We are yet to realize that Jesus is really an agent of change. Once a person has had an  encounter with Jesus, like Saul did on the Damascus road, then it’s our duty to play our part in the restoration process as instructed by Jesus Christ.  
Untill next week, obedience is important to the restoration process. Have a great weekend!
BlessingsShaneka Raymore Euphfa