Conversations Behind Closed Doors
I preached a sermon once on the subject, “Somebody’s Talking About You” focusing on the conversations that takes place behind closed doors; conversations that take place about a person without that person being aware that a conversation is taking place. Sometimes, these conversations are no more than gossip, sometimes they are about people they may have never met, about things those people have never done, and things they want those persons to do. They are having conversations about others and how they have impacted their lives, what they like, what they don’t like, how special they are, or how they need to be avoided. They are either saying something good, or something bad, but they are talking about you.
People are talking about the way you walk, the way you talk, the way you act, the way you dress, the way you laugh, and the people you spend time with. Make no mistake, they are talking about the way you do the things you do. They mean it either for good, or evil, but they are talking about you! But guess what? God is talking about you, too!
In Acts 9:10-18, a story is told about a disciple named Ananias whom The Lord was talking to behind closed doors. He instructed him to go to Judas’ house on Straight Street. There he would find a man by the name of Saul who was praying and expecting him to come and “lay hands on him” so that he can regain his sight. One would think that when God speaks to you, there would be no room for questioning; that the response would be “Yes, Lord! Whatever you want me to do, I’ll do it!” But before God spoke to Ananias, Ananias had his own conversations behind closed doors. So he spoke back to God, “Lord, a lot of people have told me about the terrible things this man has done to your followers in Jerusalem. Now the chief priests have given him the power to come here and arrest anyone who worships in your name’” (vv. 13-14).
What I like about this story is the lesson we learn about behind closed door conversations; while Ananias was trying to figure out whether he was going to listen to The Lord or to the gossip, the Father had a conversation behind closed doors with Saul about Ananias. He had a plan for both Ananias and Saul.
Ananias goes to the place where Saul is staying. The Bible says “Ananias placed his hands on him.., Suddenly something like fish scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he could see. He got up and was baptized. Then he ate and felt much better” (vv. 17-19). Like Ananias, we have to decide which conversation we will heed. Ananias could have disobeyed and missed his blessing, but he did what he was told in his behind the door conversation with God. Saul was a man who should have been punished for –if for nothing else, the murder of Stephen– went on to become the great Apostle Paul, who God used to reach the world for Christ.
Now, here’s where this story has its application and encouragement in our own lives. When Jesus talks about us, He means it for our good! No matter our sin, Jesus wants to forgive us; He wants to use us! The Bible says that “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus” (Romans 6:23).
He’s talking about you behind closed doors.
Be Blessed +++
Rev. J. Loren Russell, BS, M.Div., is an associate minister at both Goodwill Baptist and Greater Universal Baptist Churches in the Bronx.
The views and opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Bronx Chronicle, its staff, or contributors.
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