ACTS 13: Draw a line in the sand and move on

We’re well into this journey through the Book of Acts and it’s proving to be an exciting adventure full of twists and turns. We’re reading a chapter a day and I’m providing a link to the chapter in the NIV(UK) version, but you can of course read the chapter in whatever version you like. I’ve been sharing some short reflections, but the important part is the last part: ACTION. How have you been getting on with the short daily challenges so far?

Are you up for today’s challenge?

Then let’s continue!

READ: Acts 13

REFLECTION: I have a friend who I grew up with who I know as Katie, but everyone else she met in her adult life, including her husband, calls her Kate. I have another friend who’s known as Mandy in England and Amanda in Scotland. I fell in love with a man called Rads (short for Radish – long story), but when we left university, I had to force myself to start calling him Andy.

It’s the same with Saul/Paul.

Then Saul, who was also called Paul… In a Jewish context, he’s known as Saul, but the Greek version of his name is Paul. That’s it. Simple as that. It’s a cultural change. So nothing to do with his dramatic conversion, then. Well no, not directly, but in a way, it has everything to do with his encounter with God. Without his conversion, he would not be moving among the Gentiles (those who are not Jews) at all. He would not be teaching the world about Jesus. He would not be travelling with the followers of Jesus. This Saul has changed beyond all recognition because of his encounter with the living God.

As a God-fearing Jew, Paul would always have understood the relationship with God and His people, going back to Abraham. What’s different now is that he has accepted that Jesus is an integral part of that timeline, bringing forgiveness and reconciliation with God in a way that no one else ever could. Having first of all been attracted to Paul’s teaching, they become jealous of his success and popularity with the people and start to disagree and contradict what he is saying.

Then Paul and Barnabas answered them boldly: ‘We had to speak the word of God to you first. Since you reject it and do not consider yourselves worthy of eternal life, we now turn to the Gentiles.’

I really like this. Don’t waste your time speaking your truth where people are refusing to listen. Don’t try to persuade those who are out to contradict you. Don’t try to serve where people do not want you to serve. Don’t try to fit in where you do not belong. Don’t try to appease when there is nothing you can do to please some people. OK, so that’s my interpretation based on my current experience, but it’s not so very far from what Paul is saying, is it?

When Paul and Barnabus are expelled from the region, they shake the dust from their feet and move on. And in so doing, they were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit.

Know when it’s time to move on. Physically or emotionally.

Find the freedom and joy that comes from that.

ACTION: Draw a line in the sand and move on

Is there a friendship/relationship in your life that is no longer good for you?

Have you been trying to fix a rift that cannot be fixed?

Have you been persevering in a task or a role that is no longer working out for you?

Have you been obsessing about finding a way to please someone who cannot be pleased?

Have you been carrying resentment and hurt with you that’s affecting everything you do?

Is is time to move, change jobs, leave a club, give something up?

Then move on.

Shake the dust from your feet and move on.

Don’t look back.

I hope you know I’m not inciting rash decisions here. I’m trusting you to listen to God and to your own heart and to know if there is an area of life in which you need to move on.

PS: My husband and I met with a very wise guy many years ago who actually advised us to go to a beach and physically draw a line in the sand and jump over it, as an outward sign of an intention of the heart. If that might work for you, then go for it!