akimbo
She arrived in the wee hours of the morning, slipping out of her mother’s womb, “little droplets akimbo.” Perfect cherub features; my new granddaughter. This little baby girl gazing up at us so wisely has suddenly altered the universe of her “big bear brother” and “seasoned” parents. We are amazed at this new life.
As a baby, she will grow and mature, much like our life as a believer. Our new life is one of transformation - to be more like Jesus. As we mature in our faith and relationship with Him, we experience changes.
Recently Russell Brand, a well-known comedian and actor, emphasized that his journey as a new Christian is only beginning. He shared with an interviewer "a sense of excitement and eagerness to continue learning and growing in his faith.” As believers, we are called to grow, serve, experience God in our lives.
Throughout the New Testament, there are stories of men and women who were “reborn” into a new way of thinking; a new way of life; a transformation. One of those men was Saul of Tarsus. After Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection in Jerusalem, Paul was “breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples” and he was authorized to arrest any Jesus followers.
On the Road to Damascus, Saul was blinded. “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” (Acts 9:4) Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”
“I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind, and did not eat or drink anything.
In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!”
“Yes, Lord,” he answered.
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.”
“Lord,” Ananias answered, “I have heard 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.”
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. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name.”
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.” Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized, and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Acts 9:7-19
May the scales from our eyes fall; may we be filled with the Holy Spirit and may we have new eyes to see and believe.