What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’ Acts 22:16 NIV
This question was posed to Paul by Ananias when Paul was just discovering who Jesus really was. You see, Paul had always been a very religious man, having studied under the best teachers. He was as devout as they come! But he didn’t know Jesus. He had zealously persecuted Christians because he believed they were leading people away from the truth. But God in His mercy took the time to personally confront Paul, to step in his path and enlighten him in the truth. Although he had been traveling down the wrong road on his spiritual journey, God still had a plan for Paul’s life. God has a plan for your life too!
“About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, ‘Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?’ “‘Who are you, Lord?’ I asked. “ ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied.“ Acts 22:6-8 NIV
At some point on your spiritual journey, you too will have to answer the question as to who Jesus is. Even if you accept as truth what the Bible says about Jesus, who is he in your life? Is he your Lord? Does he reign in your heart? If you’ve not yet surrendered control to Jesus, that’s where it has to begin.
“What shall I do, Lord?“ I asked. Acts 22:10 NIV
Once you’ve decided that Jesus will be your Lord, you can begin to explore what His plan is for your life. Paul was way off track when he started on the long road to Damascus. He thought he was doing the right thing but he was way off course. I’m so glad that God allows for mid-course adjustments! Instead of crushing Paul for persecuting Christians, he stepped in and opened his eyes to the truth. Maybe you’re at a place today where you’re not sure you’re on the right track. If you need a mid-course adjustment, ask the Lord what you should do. And determine now, that you’ll follow the course He lays out for you.
In Paul’s case, he was blinded for a time and had to depend on others to lead him in the right direction. Be sure that you have Godly people in your life who you can trust to lead you in the right direction in those times when you are struggling to see what you need to do.
“A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there. He stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, receive your sight!’ And at that very moment I was able to see him. “Then he said: ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from his mouth. You will be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard. And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.’ Acts 22:12-16 NIV
God used Ananias to help Paul see and to understand the plan that God had for his life. Then he challenged him to act immediately. “And now what are you waiting for?” he asked him. Faith is more than mere understanding, it requires action. Real belief demands an active response. So where are you on your spiritual journey today? Don’t allow yourself to be stagnate. What are you waiting for? Has God already shown you what to do? Are there sinful habits in your life that you need to break? What are you waiting for? Are you in a relationship that is not pleasing the Lord and is dragging you down spiritually? What are you waiting for? God has amazing plans for your life! He wants to use you just like He used Paul. What are you waiting for? Act today! Call on His name and do what He shows you to do!