January 29th - Reflection

Reading
Acts 19:1-10 (NRSV)
Believers speak in tongues

While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?" They replied, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit." Then he said, "Into what then were you baptized?" They answered, "Into John's baptism." Paul said, "John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied -- altogether there were about twelve of them.

He entered the synagogue and for three months spoke out boldly, and argued persuasively about the kingdom of God. When some stubbornly refused to believe and spoke evil of the Way before the congregation, he left them, taking the disciples with him, and argued daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This continued for two years, so that all the residents of Asia, both Jews and Greeks, heard the word of the Lord.

Reflection
I'm heading northwest but I need to be heading due north. Disciples met by Paul who had not been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Sure, they had heard the message of John to repent for someone is coming after, that is Jesus. But they didn't get to hear the rest of the story. So Paul, introduced them to Jesus and the Holy Spirit came upon them.

Sometimes I'm heading northwest but I need to be heading due north. I don't stay on track to what plan God has in mind for me. I lose focus or never even gain focus of the goal and purpose God has provided. So, just as these disciples were heading in the right direction but straying off track, God graciously sent Paul to correct direction and set their sights on Jesus.

With the distraction of the day, it's important that either I hear the Word of God, or someone comes to me to keep my focus on the cross and the saving acts of Jesus. It's important that I head the direction of Jesus leading the way. Otherwise it can be so easy to fall off direction and think that my own direction is the correct way. God has a plan and purpose and calling for everyone. Listen to the Word. Listen and look and strive to keep on track.

Sometimes I'm heading northwest but I need to be heading due north. Thanks be to God for disciples like Paul, who come with the Word made flesh and provide a little correction when needed!

Prayer
Lord, forgive me when I wander off. Thank you for giving direction through your Word and through your people. Speak through me to provide direction, when needed, to others and open my mind to see your presence and your Word in those you send to me, that may be correcting my own direction. --- Amen