The “Yes” That Changed Everything

What if God asked you to help the person you’ve been begging Him to remove from your life—the person who hurt you or your family, the one whose name instantly gives you anxiety or anger? Would you go? Would your fear answer louder than your faith?

When Saul fell to the ground blinded, God had a rescue plan. But it didn’t begin with a healing miracle—it began with a disciple named Ananias who said “yes,” even though everything in him wanted to say “no.” His story only takes up a few verses, but his obedience echoes through eternity. His courage reminds us: Sometimes the miracle isn’t just in the healing, but in the one willing to obey.

What would we miss if we only obeyed God when it felt safe?

What happens when you’re the one God asks to reach out? When your obedience is the doorway to someone else’s transformation?

In Acts 9, we meet Saul, a name that struck fear in the hearts of every early Christian. Scripture tell us that he “breathed threats” like oxygen. Saul wasn’t just a non-believer; he was a hunter of those who followed Jesus. As he traveled the road to Damascus, his life was divinely interrupted. A flash of light, a secret voice—and a violent man was humbled and blinded in the dust (Acts 9:3-9).

Meanwhile, the same God called to Ananias in a vision. Not Peter or John, who were the heavy hitting leaders in the church. Just Ananias—ordinary, unnamed before this moment, simply described as a “disciple.”

The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.” — Acts 9:11-12

God gave him an assignment that must’ve felt like a death sentence, because fear immediately followed.

“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard from many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to Your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.” — Acts 9:13-14

His hesitation wasn’t rebellion—I’d call it reasonable concern! After all, Saul’s reputation was truly violent! He was the enemy and Ananias named his fear honestly. How often do we resist God’s call when it involves risk or vulnerability? Or even more when God asks us to forgive, to reach across boundary lines we swore we’d never cross again?

“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.” — Matthew 5:44

God calls us into uncomfortable obedience, not because it’s safe, but because it’s sacred. We may not see the whole picture or even understand what the Artist is painting. God rarely explains in advance, but He invites us to trust Him anyway. Ananias raises his concern, and God responds with purpose. He doesn’t try to explain away Saul’s past (I mean, how could you?)—He reveals His vision for Saul’s future.

“Go! This man is my chosen instrument…” — Acts 9:15

God’s isn’t looking at Saul’s record, He’s looking at his heart. We may only see what someone has done, but God sees what they can become.

“The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” — 1 Samuel 16:7

This is the difference between our human logic and God’s eternal plan. For a lot of us (my hand is definitely raised here), it’s hard to see someone differently when they haven’t proven themselves with changed behavior. Ananias’s fear doesn’t disqualify Him from carrying out God’s mission, though. You don’t have to feel ready to say “yes,” you just have to be willing to. Obedience doesn’t wait until we understand. It moves when God speaks. As Craig Groeschel says, “Delayed obedience is still disobedience.”

Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, 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.” — Acts 9:17 (emphasis mine)

This moment does something to my heart. Ananias walked into the house of the man who absolutely terrified him, laid his hands on him, and called him brother. This ordinary disciple made an extraordinary choice: to replace his fear with faith. Not only does that take courage, but it requires humility. Ananias chose to agree with the identity God gave Saul, even before Saul had done a single thing right. Even before he apologized for what he’d done! That is called radical grace, my friend. And that’s exactly what Christ did for all of us.

But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. — Romans 5:8

While we were still sinners. Let that really sink in for a moment. While we were still sinners. Before we had chosen Him. Before we had the chance to look at our life and decide it was better in His hands. While the creation spit at, beat, and mocked the Creator, our Jesus looked ahead at the joy set before Him (Hebrews 12:2) and decided that you were worth every minute on that cross. Our God is the God of second, third, fourth, and five hundredth chances—all because He sees you through eternal eyes. He looks at you with so much love and calls you son or daughter, because He sees who you can be, not what you’ve done. As recipients of such a priceless, undeserved gift, maybe it’s time we start calling people brother or sister before they “deserve” it.

Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized…” — Acts 9:18

Saul was healed, baptized, and filled with the Holy Spirit. Ananias fades from the narrative, but his obedience changed the trajectory of church history. Saul became Paul—the greatest missionary, theologian, and major writer of the New Testament. The church isn’t just a place where people find God; it’s where they find community and grace. Because, you see, before Paul could walk in his calling, someone had to believe in his redemption. Someone like ordinary Ananias. I don’t know how much of Paul’s ministry he saw during the remainder of his life, but I can almost guarantee he didn’t see the legacy that exists today. You may never see the full ripple of your own obedience, but heaven does.

“You have no idea what God can do through one moment of obedience.” — Craig Groeschel

This story can get really personal, really fast. And maybe it needs to.

Who has hurt you? Who feels too far gone?

What if God asked you to be their bridge to healing? To encourage them? Or simply to believe in them, even if no one else does?

Would you go?

Would you pray for them?

Would you call them “brother”?

Your “yes” could unlock the door to someone’s transformation, their destiny. Like Ananias, your story may only take up a few verses in someone else’s life. But don’t overlook the small acts of faith: a prayer, a visit, a word of encouragement, or a risk you took for Jesus. Obedience isn’t about comfort, it’s about kingdom. True grace doesn’t stay inside boundary lines. So even if you’re afraid, even if it’s hard, even if it doesn’t make sense—say yes, and watch what it sets in motion.

Father, give me the courage of Ananias and the faith to follow You even when I’m afraid. Help me trust that You see the whole story. When You call me to love someone who’s hurt me, let me remember that Your grace is for everyone, not just the easy ones. Forgive me for judging what only You can redeem. Teach me to call people by the names You’ve given them, not by the mistakes they’ve made. Let me be a vessel of healing, not hesitation. Give me the boldness to obey, the humility to trust Your perspective, and the grace to celebrate the repentance of others. May my “yes” create space for Your kingdom to grow. Amen.