Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name. (Acts 9:15,16)
God is speaking to Ananias about Paul. He told Ananias to go lay his hands on Paul so that he would regain his sight (Paul had been blinded by a visitation by Jesus on the road to Damascus). Through his experience on the road to Damascus Paul became a follower of Jesus. One of the fascinating things about Paul becoming a follower of Jesus is that Paul knew the cost. He knew what was probably going to happen to him – that he would be beaten, jailed, and ultimately killed for preaching Jesus. He knew because he had persecuted many Christians already. Yet, knowing the cost he went forward with more zeal than anyone.
We know the cost too. We know some people are going to think we are weird, that we’re fanatics, or that we are nut jobs. Some will write us off as friends and call us mindless idiots. We may be ridiculed openly or it may just be people talking behind our back. We know the cost and it scares us. It scares us into silence. And the cost is nothing compared to what Paul faced. I may not be called an idiot by my friends if I remain silent but what will God call me if I remain silent?
God forgive me for my silence. Give me the opportunity to be bold for you. Amen & amen.
