Have you ever considered that when the Holy Spirit prompts you to share Christ with someone or minister to them, He has already been encountering them and preparing their hearts?

In Acts chapter 9, Saul was powerfully encountered by Christ on the Road to Damascus. One of the disciples’ greatest persecutors received the revelation that Jesus was Lord, and that when Saul persecuted His followers he was persecuting Jesus Himself. It was a power encounter that has encouraged many to pray for “Saul-like conversions” among those that seem so opposed to Jesus. 

Jesus instructed Saul, now temporarily blinded from the light of His face, to go into the city of Damascus. Saul had been traveling there to hunt down and arrest disciples; now he would be ministered to by one of them.

Jesus appeared in a vision to a disciple named Ananias and showed him that he needed to go minister to Saul and release a gift of healing. After some brief protest, Ananias quickly obeyed. The first word out of his mouth when he arrived at the house Saul was staying in was brother. 

And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus,who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. (Acts 9:17-18)

You see, God showed Ananias that he was working on both sides of the equation. He had already encountered Saul. He was asking Ananias to enter the picture to join in what He was already doing by His Spirit. This is what Spirit-led ministry is like.

When God stirs your heart to share, pray for, or minister to a friend, you can obey with the confidence that He has already been working in their life in a powerful way. Your role is easy – all you have to do is love them and invite them to take the next step.

As believers we’re not called to do things for God. We’re called to work together with God. His yoke is easy! Ananias shared what the Lord had showed him, and laid his hands on Saul. Saul was immediately healed,and baptized in the Holy Spirit. He then got up and Ananias baptized him in water.

God is encountering people all around us. He is moving to bring Saul-like conversions. Let’s add some Ananias-like obedience and join in what God is doing. We are His workmanship, created for good works that God has already set up beforehand for us to walk in. Count on the fact that the Holy Spirit is working around you and setting things up.

What will your “Ghost Story” be this week?