We all experience journeys in life. And those experiences are often very complex. A journey can refer to a vacation, a mission trip, or even a season of life. They usually involve multiple locations as well as many different people, personalities and relationships. Journeys and their relationships often involve frustration of many types, but also growth and development. However, it's often difficult to see or know the growth until we have 20/20 hindsight. How do you trust God with each step of a multi-layered journey? How do you trust God with relationships in your life and journey?
For a little background history into this week's mission trip journey, Paul was a major player in the stoning of Stephen and in hunting down and imprisoning and killing Christians. Then he had a dramatic life transforming encounter with God and his life radically changed. As we begin this week's study, Paul had been transformed and changed, but many of the people around him didn't realize that yet. They only know him as a persecutor of Christians. Imagine how doubtful and fearful you might have been in that situation.
INVITATION: Join in with Saul (now Paul) and Barnabas (previously Joseph) as they set out on their missionary journey to begin the early church. They were complete opposites. Saul/Paul was a zealot against Christians and Christ who until he was radically changed, and Joseph was nicknamed Barnabas because of the way he lived his life. The name Barnabas means "sons of encouragement." Can you imagine the difference in temperaments between these two men? Yet God called them to work together. Have you ever felt mis-matched with someone? Did you trust God/the process or fight it? Barnabas likely even knew people Saul killed and/or had put into prison, yet he encouraged this relationship.
MONDAY: Acts 9:26-28: Barnabas took Paul in. He trusted in the "new" Paul as opposed to the "old" Paul. The Disciples chose to believe Barnabas because of his reputation. Can you imagine how hesitant and fearful they probably were? What changes has Jesus made in your life? What is still in process? What type of reputation for Jesus do you have with others? Imagine you are in a situation like Barnabas. Would your reputation speak in a positive way or a negative way?
TUESDAY: Acts 13:2-3: Barnabas and Paul were sent out on their missionary journey to begin the church. Note how this sending off was not just a quick box to check off the "to do" list or to be taken lightly. There was prayer, but also fasting and laying hands on them to send them off. They took this seriously. It was weighty. Each day you and I are "sent off" into the world and into relationships. How seriously do you take your calling? We are all called as missionaries.....right where we are. Pastor Adam mentioned that God saves us FROM something FOR something. Typically it's not to be on big stages or necessarily preaching/teaching from the Bible. It could be as simple (but important) as a certain conversation that will come your way today. How might your days look and feel differently if you considered you were being "sent off?" How might you begin each day in surrender and giving yourself - and your day - over to God's plans and purposes?
WEDNESDAY: Acts 13:6-12: These verses are a good example of how every day conversations with people randomly put in front of you could be your "missionary journey" calling. No church services had gathered yet. Paul and Barnabas were simply having conversations with whomever came into their path. What situations and people has God put into your life recently? Basic conversations with everyday people is sometimes called "lifestyle evangelism." YOU are an evangelist! Your voice and your story matter, and God can - and will - use them. Are you willing? What simple conversations might come up in your day today? Could they be from God for a purpose?
THURSDAY: ACTS 13:26-31: In these verses, Paul and Barnabas were speaking to people who knew the Old Testament and it's prophesies. Yet they were asleep to Jesus and didn't recognize the truth when it came to them in person. We can be guilty of the same thing. Do you know and hear truth but never allow it to change and transform you?
FRIDAY: I Cor. 8:1: Are you guilty of acquiring knowledge but not letting it permeate your life and transform you from the inside out? Would you know Jesus if you saw him today? Would you know his voice within your spirit?
SATURDAY: John 10:25-30: Do you know the voice of the "good shepherd?" Have you been told, but do not believe? Have you believed, but not let it change your life? Ezekiel 36:26 says he will replace your heart of stone. Have you allowed Jesus to do that in your life?