Love's investment

10 Now there was a disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and the Lord said to him in a vision, Ananias." And he said, Here I am, Lord." 11 And the Lord said to him, Get up and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying, . 12 and he has seen in a vision a man named Ananias come in and lay his hands on him, so that he might regain his sight." 13 But Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he did to Your saints at Jerusalem; 14 and here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name." 15 But the Lord said to him, Go, for he is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel;. 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name's sake.", 17 So Ananias departed and entered the h ouse, and after laying his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; (Acts 9:10-18) We don’t know what God’s will or plan is for others. Often times we judge people based off of what we have heard about them or even witnessed ourselves. The Lord told Ananias to go see Saul and lay his hands on him so that he may regain his sight. Knowing what he had heard about Saul and how he was an accuser and murderer of God’s people, it was natural for him to be hesitant. Why would he want to go to help someone like that? However, he had NO idea the ministry that effect that Saul, whose name was changed to Paul, would have on the kingdom of God, even to this day! The greatest love investment we can make is to share God’s love with others. We have to believe that God is in control, and we have to believe that His love can reach ANYONE, no matter what they have done or are doing. When was the last time you overlooked what you could see in someone, and told them about the love of Jesus that can change anyone? God isn’t looking for vessels that are already perfect and pretty and wrapped up in neat little bows. He’s looking for vessels that are available for His use – sometimes they come cracked, broken, and downright ugly. However, God is definitely the Master DIY crafter and he can take any vessel and refurbish it with His Spirit. That’s the great loving investment He makes in us and I, personally, thank Him for that!