breathe, Acts 9, Ananias (b)

the second part on my Acts 9 reflection on Ananias….“breathes…”

Ananias breathes…

“The Lord told him (Ananias), “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. 12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
13 “Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. 14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.”

At first, he, Ananias, can’t breathe- He can’t move from his house till he takes a breathe, till he breathes…

He, Ananias, sitting in his home, frightened, loving his Lord, breathes his response to His Lord, facts…

What does his heart breathe tell him? Possibly that…

‘God knows, creates and has created all facts; all life; He allows all Saul’s breathes to come to life. And He, my Lord, both commands and explains what I should do, and do in faith….’

15 “But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. 16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, …”

Ananias embraces what he feared. He holds Saul. A brother.

“…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.” 18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, 19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength.”

Once again, Ananias can breathe; and he can embrace; once he speaks his fears to God; he can touch hold his fear; speak, call a murderous foe ‘brother.’ Why? And How is Ananias like you and me?

My mother three years past had massive heart surgery. She was in an induced coma for three weeks: why? She could not take a full breathe; her breathes were short and rapid ; Conscious or Unconscious she could not abide the tube in her throat ..her fears stopped her breathes.

She could not pause and breathe. The nurses and doctors could not understand why she couldn’t… I do.

She did not know of Ananias. She did not, could not breathe with Jesus, with His name, His saving name.

Breathe today with Him; embrace your fears; let His name touch your lips, even without spoken words, silently in your heart… ‘Jesus…’

Today, breathe ‘Jesus’