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The Willingness of Ananias
Brian Mashburn
June 25, 2017
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The Willingness of Ananias
Recently, circumstances arose where I saw a movie twice in a row in a very short time frame. Of course, the first time, I just watched the story as I assume the film writers and producers intend. I followed the main characters of each scene seamlessly into the next, all the way to the end. By doing so, I effortlessly captured the main storyline and thereby, the major themes of the movie.
The second time, however, since I'd so recently seen it, I found myself paying attention to what was going on around the main characters in each scene. I looked with interest at the "background people" and the secondary characters. I noticed that each of them had scripts they were following, too, given to them by the same writers and producers, for very important and impactful reasons. Many of them played pivotal roles in the plot, some were even heroic, even if overlooked.
I've been enjoying our current sermon series entitled "Minor Characters, Major Impact". There is something special about scouring scripture and intentionally looking for those that constitute the "supporting cast" behind the major characters God uses. Perhaps it is because I feel like a minor character in a much larger story and want to believe that I can play my small, but significant part. If you are reading your Bible a "second time," I highly recommend this approach to give you fresh eyes and perhaps fresh energy for Christ.
For today, we look at a man who only appears for 10 verses in Acts 9. He is one of two minor characters in scripture named Ananias. In him, you will find a man who became a part of God's story in the life of one of the New Testament's biggest "stars" - simply because he was willing to be interruptible, and walk where God wanted, even if it was a bit scary or uncomfortable.