Saul of Tarsus was the last person on earth you’d ever have expected to become a Christian, much less the author of half the New Testament. Describing his life before he met Christ, he wrote, ‘I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it’ (Galatians 1:13 NKJV). So when God called Ananias to go and pray for Saul, he wasn’t too keen on the idea: ‘“Lord, many people have told me about this man and the terrible things he did to your holy people in Jerusalem. Now he has come here to Damascus, and the leading priests have given him the power to arrest everyone who worships you.” But the Lord said to Ananias, “Go! I have chosen Saul for an important work. He must tell about me to those who are not Jews, to kings, and to the people of Israel”’ (Acts 9:13-15 NCV). Ananias knew what Saul had done to the church. But he was about to learn that God was at work in Saul’s heart. A few years later, God would use Saul (Paul) in a huge way but first He used Ananias. Has God given you a similar assignment? Has He given you a Saul? If so, don’t give up on him or her. When other people write them off, give them another chance. Ananias didn’t know about Paul’s encounter with Jesus on the Damascus Road. God can go where you can’t, and get through to a person when you’re unable to reach them. God never sends you where He hasn’t already been. So by the time you reach your Saul, who knows what you’ll find?
