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Throughout this sermon series, we have learned that joy is not dependent on our circumstances. But how do we claim joy in the midst of uncertainty or challenges? In Acts 9, Ananias is called by God to go find a man named Saul and minister to him. We know him today as the Apostle Paul, one of the most influential leaders in the history of the church. But at that time, he was a well-known Pharisee who persecuted Christians. Despite his concerns, Ananias obeyed and God used him to change Saul’s life and the course of history. Ananias was open to what God wanted to do and put himself in a position to experience joy by simply saying, “Here I am, Lord” (Acts 9:10).

When we have to go places we don’t want to go, or are asked to do things we don’t want to do, or to be with people we don’t want to be with, we can choose to claim joy with those three words: “Here I am.” No matter where we find ourselves in this current season, this simple prayer can help center us and make us available to what God might want to do in our lives.