Recognize The New, Trust God, Advocate For Others
Trusting God to do a good work in the midst of the unknown can be difficult, but it leads to so much freedom and joy in Jesus' direction. The story of Saul and Barnabas provides a model for responding to fear with courage.
Saul was a man who led the charge to wipe out the group of Jesus' followers from the known world map. On the way to Damascus, he was confronted by Jesus and was allowed to step into something new. God sent a man named Ananias to help Saul understand the invitation God had for his life.
In Acts 9, we find Saul, who experienced a profound transformation in Jesus, being met with hesitation. Acts 9:26 explains, "When Saul arrived in Jerusalem, he tried to meet with the believers, but they were all afraid of him. They did not believe he had truly become a believer!"
We would later know Saul as Paul, who would travel the known world preaching the Good News. A man who likely spoke both Hebrew and Greek, communicating with people in both the Jewish Temple and the Roman Empire. He was uniquely qualified to do the work that God had set before him: to share the Gospel with people all over the world, sparking a movement of disciple-makers around the world. Do you see what was happening in this moment? A defining moment not just for Paul, but for all of us today.
It wasn't until a man named Barnabas walked into the scene that he recognized what God was doing in Saul's life, trusted that God was doing a good work in him, and advocated for Saul so that others could experience the gift that came with God's plan for Saul.
Barnabas comes from the word encouragement, Parakaleo, which means to come alongside or strengthen another. Together, they could listen to what God had planned, surrender what held them back, and respond in faith.
When you become aware that God might be up to something new, Barnabas might be the example we need to show us how to respond when the new shows up looking for a friend.
DIVE DEEPER
In your journey discerning what God is inviting you to, take a moment to ask yourself these three questions:
What do I see God going?
How might this be a defining moment?
How will I show up?
Canyon Ridge is beginning a long journey of transformation this fall. You’re invited to be a part of it! Find out more about by watching this video.