Acts 9:17

And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.

Saul was encountered and blinded by the Lord near Damascus. The impact of the Lord on Saul was immediate, but his sight did not return until three says later when he was visited by an obedient Ananias. As was everyone did during this day, Ananias feared any interaction with this terrorist Saul. His reputation was well known. When Ananias was informed by God of the detailed instructions to “visit” with Saul, one of the key indicators was that Saul would be praying. Ananias was no disciple or prophet and was never mentioned again specifically. God used this vessel to avoid any confusion as to the origin of Paul’s conversion. When Ananias saw Saul praying, he knew not only he had his guy, but that this man had been changed! Everything was going to be alright.

We can spent thousands of dollars on golf lessons, training devices and watch hours of YouTube videos and, yet never improve one shot if we keep doing the same bad habits. If there is no meaningful change, there is no improvement.

If we keep doing the same things, we will keep getting the same results. This truth is proved in every aspect of our life and is especially reflected in our spiritual life. Many people like the idea of having Jesus in their life, but only do so in a time of convenience. It makes the wife happy and it seems my business is more respected. Just as Ananias identified Paul because of a notable change, our family and friends will be able to see a similar change in our lives when we truly have an encounter with Jesus. None of us had to be blinded when we were convicted by the Holy Spirit. We were already blind by a life of works and self gratification. Thankfully and miraculously, a real change takes place. Like Paul, when we put our faith in Jesus as Christ and Savior, “immediately there fell from [our] eyes as it had been scales.”

The only meaningful and sustained change comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It isn’t just an acknowledgement of Jesus, the man. It is a relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior. A relationship with Christ is more than the people around us seeing a change or an improvement in our attitude and actions. Christ alters our whole makeup from within. We don’t have the same desires and sin no longer has dominion over us. Paul in 1 Timothy 1:12 wrote, “and I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” He is still that same enabler today and only requires our faithfulness to accomplish this great change.