We have a stationary bike that I love riding. The ease of waking up in the morning and getting some cardio without having to leave my house is just the best. It’s not a Peleton, so I promise I am not trying to flex on y’all. It does have a similar platform with recorded and live workouts you can join. I have a favorite trainer whose workouts I always try to do. He is so motivating and encouraging. He just makes the workouts fun. Who knew that was possible?

During one of his workouts, he was wearing a shirt that said “Repeat after me: yes coach”. I thought it was pretty funny. It brought me back to my high school days hearing the workouts my coaches had planned and dreading them. But I didn’t really have a choice. I just had to do the workouts. I just had to say “yes coach”. Truthfully, in Texas we really say “yes ma’am” or “yes sir”.

As the sweat rolled down the side of my face, I couldn’t help but think of the people God uses in the Bible. That was their answer most times. “Yes, God.” Answering his calling on their life. Only, it wasn’t always an excited yes. Sometimes it was even no.

Jonah told God no, and guess where he ended up? In the belly of a whale. So, yeah, I guess we can say no to God, but it won’t end well for you. Jonah ended up doing what the Lord told him, but he was pretty bitter about it. Anyways Jonah is not the best example of being the “yes coach” type.

I will tell you who is though: Ananias. In Acts chapter 9, God calls on Ananias to do maybe one of the scariest things you could think of. God told him to go to Saul, the Christian killer, and lay hands on him to heal his sight.

God wanted Ananias to go to the man persecuting Christians and preach to him. Simple. Ease. No sweat about it.

So maybe, Ananias didn’t say “yes God” right away. But would you?

“‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he had done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.'” (Act 9:13-14 NIV)

Of course Ananias questioned this request. It sounded like a suicide mission. Surely Saul would kill Ananias without a second thought. This man is going around killing Christians left and right, and Ananias is supposed to just touch his shoulder and left him know God is there for him? It sounds terrifying.

But God had big plans for Saul. Plans that Ananias or anybody else couldn’t see or even imagine. That is what God does. He uses people or situations for greater things that ultimately glorify His name.

Saul changed his Christian killing ways and changed his name to Paul. He wrote almost half of the New Testament. God took this broken man and used him for good.

He also used Ananias. There might not have been half of the New Testament if Ananias didn’t say yes to God.

“Then Ananias went to the house and entered it” (Acts 9:17 NIV). I am sure he was terrified and I bet he really didn’t want to do it. But he did. Ananias approached Saul and the Lord changed his life forever. God gave a command and despite how delusional it sounded, Ananias obeyed. His answer was “yes coach”.

That is what God can do in our lives and on this broken planet if we just listen and obey. I know it’s easier said than done, but the benefits are too great to not obey God’s commands. Just like after a tough workout that you were dreading at the beginning, God might ask you to do hard, scary things. But it is always for your good and His glory.

God will never ask you to sin and He promises to protect you. So don’t let fear or doubt get in the way. All you have to say is “yes coach” and He will lead you down the right path.