Reset Direction

Focus Statement

Whether we’ve been in the church for a long time or are exploring the faith,

Jesus sometimes calls us to move in a new direction,

even when we think we are already heading in the right direction.

Point of Relation

I have a rather hilarious story to tell...

about one of many road trips we went on with my parents in South Carolina.

This is funny, but it was also super scary at the time.

There was this time that we were at Table Rock State Park,

where there is an overlook that is actually a rock in the shape of a huge table, hence it’s name.

For anyone who has been in the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina...

You know that these mountains go up in altitude considerably higher than the ones in NJ.

So, there we were driving down from Table Rock, when, while sitting in the back,

I saw an overlook that I really, really wanted to stop at and take some pictures.

“Dad, I’d really like to stop, can we pull over”.

My dad asked be why but kept driving...

By the time I told him why, we were well past where I wanted to stop.

So, I told him to not worry about it…we were too far past it…on a one way road.

But my dad felt bad that he hadn’t stopped...

So, what did he do...

If you guessed, drove on and head back to the state park entrance and drive around again...

You are wrong…that would take too much time.

Nope, we came to a stop, my dad, put the SUV in reverse, and drove backwards up to the spot...

The whole car was in an uproar...

People screaming in fear as we envisioned a car coming around a bend and plowing into us! LOL!

It was absolutely terrifying…though we did get up there safely…and I got my beautiful pictures...

Still, we were telling my dad to keep going…to keep heading on in the direction we were going....

But my dad decided it was time for a rather dangerous direction reset! LOL!

Now, kids please don’t try that kind of a direction reset in your own cars…not wise...

But direction is very important…and we can be heading in the wrong direction even when we think we are heading in the right direction.

In story I just shared, my dad thought he was heading in the right direction...

he was taking us home...

But then I called for a direction reset…which through a wrench into my dad’s plan.

Things to Consider

It can be easy to imagine Jesus calling us to make a change when we first enter the faith,

but it’s harder to picture Jesus calling us to move in a new direction when we are not new to the Christian faith.

We may be convinced that the way we are going is the “right way,”

but we may not be aligned with the direction in which Jesus is calling us.

What Scripture Says

This passage is likely familiar to people who have spent a lot of time in church.

Yet, this is an opportunity to look at this passage with fresh eyes.

Jesus calls both Saul and Ananias to follow him but calls differently to each.

He meets Saul violently.

He meets Ananias in a vision.

Jesus tells Ananias to go heal Saul,

but Ananias protests.

In fact, Jesus tells both a long-time follower and a non-believer to follow him.

And both must make a change and move in a new direction.

For Saul, that new direction is to stop persecuting Christians

and to not only become one himself,

but also to become a proclaimer of the gospel...

arguably Christianity’s CHIEF proclaimer of the Gospel.

For Ananias, the new direction is to drop his own beliefs about who Saul is

and instead approach Saul from a place of grace and of trust in Jesus.

Can you imagine how incredibly hard that must have been...

Annias not only had a distaste for Saul...

but he would have certainly been fearful for his safety and life.

Following Jesus means moving in a new direction

(even for the long-time follower).

As we continue to grow and experience, more is revealed and changes in our lives.

Saul thought he could see but was blind.

He was a Pharisee trying to stop what he saw as a heresy.

He really, really thought these Christians were leading people away from God to a new IDOL.

Ananias had a vision but could not see God’s purpose with Saul.

He was blind to God’s intentions.

Again Ananias was, rightfully, afraid of Saul’s history of persecuting Christians.

Both Saul and Ananias are out of alignment with God’s purposes

and need to move in a new direction for God’s purposes to be realized in their lives

and in the world around them.

They both miss the point and think they are doing what they should be doing

until they are interrupted and given a new direction by Jesus.

What This Means For You

I want to continue to invite you to think of what change God is asking you to make in your own lives.

Remember we talked about starting the year off with a Soul Reset.

And that not only requires to remember that we are LOVED by God.

That means that we will reset our purpose back on Jesus Christ…

and that we will also reset our values to that of Christ’s values...

placing Christ’s values above worldly values.

This is what this whole series has been about…so that we can continue to be the church.

And if you are intentional in resetting your personal lives back on Jesus...

We as a church will also follow suit…for the church is its people! AMEN?

We can all individually being more intentional in listening to God,

working on a one of the fruits of the spirit,

living into your direction/purpose in this season,

living confidently in God’s grace, etc.

Having recentered ourselves in our identity,

we should alos pause to listen for God’s purpose for us.

Having reset our values by the spirit,

what new direction is God calling you to move in this season?

What this means for us

As the new year begins, what is a direction that you feel God may be leading our congregation?

And how can that direction unite us as it did for Saul and Ananias.

If we reset our direction together, we can unite in identity, purpose, values and direction.

We could be united in bringing new people to know Christ...

In connecting the church to the community.

Assessing and meeting the needs of the least of these around us...

And truly witnessing to the power, presence and love of Christ.

We know what God is calling us to do…let’s do it together! Amen? Amen!