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It is a simple story with an underachieving first line.  "Now there was a disciple in Damascus named Ananias."  (Acts 9:10)  For three days a blind and helpless Saul of Tarsus had reflected on his life in the house of Judas on a street called Straight.  (Acts 9:11).  As Saul prayed, the Lord spoke to this disciple of Damascus saying, "Get up and go...At this moment he (Saul) is praying...and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias..." (Acts 9:11-12).  It was not what Ananias wanted to hear so he reminded the Lord that Saul meant him harm.  But, the Lord once again said, "Go," and this disciple of Damascus went.    

There are two miracles in this ninth chapter of Acts.  One took place in that moment on the road when Saul met the living Christ.  The second took place when Ananias went to this persecutor of the Jesus people, laid his hands on him, and said, "Brother Saul..." Acts 9:17)  The second may seem to be overshadowed by the first, but it is a powerful miracle all its own as Ananias calls his would be persecutor, "Brother."  One miracle shows us the power of Christ to change lives and the other fleshes out and shows the changed life.   We may think walking with Jesus is going to be full of sweet blessings and smiles everywhere, but it is really a life that will call us to do those hard things which go against the grain our human nature.  

Human nature would have had Saul of Tarsus die in the darkness, but the power of Christ brings surprising mercy to overwhelm his darkness.  Christ is not just going to ask us to love those who love us.  He is going to ask us to love and forgive those whom we do not want to offer either love or mercy.  Christ is going to ask us to live as the forgiving Christ on the cross.  Ananias figured it out and did the bidding of Jesus.  Maybe it is time we quit making excuses for not forgiving someone who has meant us harm.  Maybe it is time for us to go with forgiveness.