Turning Points: WHEN WE'RE SINCERELY MISDIRECTED

What do you think when you see someone headed the wrong way down the road? I usually think, "What is that idiot doing?" Last week, I was that idiot.

I was traveling on the interstate and stopped to get some lunch. I chose an exit with a mall with several restaurants in the parking lot. Trouble was, I couldn't figure out how to get into the mall. I could see it, but every time I thought I was turning into the entrance, I found myself trapped in a smaller parking lot that didn't connect. Until I finally made a right and was headed straight for the mall. Then I noticed that I was the only car headed this way. Mental warning lights went off and I pulled over the shoulder of the road just seconds before several lanes of traffic came my way. I got my composure back, whipped a u-turn and headed the other way. Chances are, we've all had that kind of experience. Maybe in our cars. Or maybe in our lives.

SINCERE...BUT SINCERELY WRONG
The New Testament tells the story of a man named Saul. He had a deep and sincere love for God. He ordered his whole life around obeying and pleasing God. He was also sincerely convinced that the followers of this upstart rabbi- Jesus of Nazareth- were dishonoring God, leading people astray, and needed to be stopped. So Saul started arresting followers of Jesus, imprisoning them, and- if they wouldn't recant- working to get them executed. Mind you, he did all of this precisely because He loved God and wanted to honor him. If this seems far fetched, consider the Christian Crusades or today's Muslim terrorists.

STOP RIGHT THERE
As Saul is on his way to "clean up" another city, Jesus appears and stops Saul dead in his tracks. Jesus confronts the persecutor about his ignorance. Turns out that Saul didn't know Jesus at all. Amazing how many of our incorrect judgments are formed sans personal relationships or experience, huh? Jesus leaves Saul with a physical reminder the he isn't as enlightened as he presumed. Stunned and blind, Saul is led humbly to Damascus.

NOW TURN AROUND
For a few days, Saul is blind. His lack of physical sight gives him a chance to reflect on his recent supernatural encounter and his actions against the people of Jesus. While Saul stews, God enlists the help of someone who did know Him, Ananias. Ananias is hesitant to get involved given Saul's reputation, but he trusts God and plays an important role in helping Saul recover his sight- physically and spiritually.

OFF YOU GO
Most folks would call Saul's change of heart a win all by itself. At least he's stopped persecuting Jesus' people. But the story gets better from there. God isn't content with just having us stop our negative, hurtful, sinful behavior. He wants to send us out in the other direction. In the course of a week, Saul goes from speaking and acting out against Jesus- to convincing people that Jesus really is the Messiah. Talk about a turnaround.

REFLECT:
Q: Have you ever been sincerely wrong about something? What happened to "enlighten" you?

Q: Why do you think God involved Ananias in this story (instead of just healing Saul himself)? What role did Ananias actually play? What could we learn from him as we seek to engage people who are searching for God?

Q: How do you think Ananias found the strength to call Saul "brother" and embrace Saul after all he had done to Jesus' people? Could you have done that? Did Saul get off the hook for all the wrong he had done?

Q: Saul actively "went the other way" after he saw the light. He not only stopped doing what was wrong, but started doing what was right. Can you think of any issues in your life where God would call you to do the same?