A Word from Acts 22

If somebody asked you to give your testimony, what would you share with them? Would it be the story of how you learned about Jesus? Would you talk about the feeling in your heart that made you want to give your life to Christ, or the nervousness you felt about getting baptized? Or would your testimony be less about what happened back then and more about what's been happening now? The story of how God's been guiding and using you and changing you along the way?

Well, today's word from Acts Chapter 22 contains a testimony. Paul had just been arrested by the Romans, because there had been a riot, caused by some rabble-rousers who were upset about his ministry to Gentiles. And so, to calm things down, Paul told the story of how the resurrected Jesus appeared to him in a blinding light  -- and said that persecuting others was really persecuting him -- and then told him to wait for a man named Ananias, who'd restore his sight. 

But what I want to call your attention to is the part of Paul's testimony about what Ananias said to him. “The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One," Ananias said. "You'll  be his witness to all people of what you have seen and heard." And then, this is the part I really want you to notice. "And now," Ananias said, "what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name." (22:14-16)

You see, part of the power of our testimony isn't just to remind us (or others) of what Jesus did in our lives; it's to confront us again with the question: "So, what are you going to do about it?" And so, if I could leave you with a question today, it would go something like this:

If you're receiving this devotional, there's a pretty good chance that Jesus has done something in your life. So, what are you waiting for? Get up. Do his will. And call on his name."

Amen.