Acts 9:17

“I dreamed God came the other night, And Heaven’s gate swung wide. With kindly grace an angel Welcomed me inside, And there to my astonishment Stood folks I’d known on earth: Some I’d judged and labeled ‘Unfit, of little worth.’ Angry words rose to my lips but never were set free, For every face showed stunned surprise – None there expected me!”

The first lesson that Jesus taught the world was that the Kingdom of God is happily made of people who might at one time have been enemies to one another. Consider the twelve that He called to be with him. There was a time when some would have never spoken to each other (at least not kind words) but they became caring friends when they walked with Jesus.

Even the old prophets had visions of days of unusual friendships: lions and lambs rest side by side, children and cobras play unafraid and unharmed on the same ground. Why are we humans so slow to learn?

Saul wanted to destroy Ananias; and Ananias didn’t want to pray for Saul. Like a parent who orders the children to “make up” the Lord puts the two of them in the same room together. Ananias said something that he never thought that he would ever say; and Saul heard what he never expected to hear: Ananias said, “Brother Saul.”

It is a wonderful world; and it can be even more wonderful when we all learn how to walk together, hand in hand, with Jesus. Blest be the tie that binds our hearts in Christian love; the fellowship of kindred minds is like to that above.”