“In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ He answered, ‘Yes, Lord.’” (Acts 9:10)
I’ve always admired my wife’s Uncle Will. He’s a Renaissance man of sorts–interested in many different things and often taking it upon himself to learn and stretch himself. In recent years, he’s taught himself how to sculpt, to pretty impressive results.
He and my wife’s aunt (an artist herself–those are her hands above making pottery) came up to Chicago for Christmas and Will and I were having a conversation about his latest projects. There’s a group of people in a local town that has commissioned him to do a sculpture of a man who passed away earlier this year who had a tremendous impact because of his generosity and service. The man did not desire recognition, however, and so his is not a household name. Will has also been approached about the possibility of another project. This one would be of a man who wants a bust of himself made so it can be put in the lobby of the company he founded. This is a man who doesn’t seem opposed to recognition. Will’s not sure yet if he will do this piece, but I found the juxtaposition of the two very interesting. One of a man who sought to serve others and another of a man who, when it comes down to it, wants to serve his own interests.
I don’t mean to come down too hard on the second man, especially since I don’t know him. Indeed, we’re now in a season where many are becoming self-interested by asking: How can I improve myself in 2015? I’m a fan of resolutions and will be doing the same thing. In reading about Ananias the other day, though, I thought about a different kind of resolution.
I love Ananias. He’s not one of your more well-known biblical characters, but he’s always appealed to me. He is a follower of Jesus and is minding his own business, when the Lord appears to him. Ananias’ mission from God: Put your hands on a man (Saul) who has been persecuting followers of Jesus. Ananias understandably has concerns about this. Uh, Lord, “he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem.” But the Lord says go and Ananias goes and a movement is born. He lays his hands on Saul who will later become Paul and will be the most influential person to share the news about the risen Christ. You’ve probably heard of Paul. You probably have not heard of Ananias. And yet Ananias’ role was just as important in launching the mission of somebody else.
In addition to thinking about how you can improve yourself in 2015, would would it mean if one of your resolutions was: How can I serve someone else this year, knowing that I will receive little or no recognition? How can I help her or him launch her or his own mission? What a powerful thing if that would be a top priority for all of us. I’m guessing that you may not have someone create a sculpture of you, but you would be playing a key role in helping mold the life of another.