Compassionate Reassignment

Compassionate Reassignment - to be reassigned to a new place or position for the sake of extending compassion.

In Acts 16:1-40 it covers Paul's obedience in compassionate reassignment, boldness to share The Good News, and his mission, as he went from city to city preaching about this man named Jesus.  I am very quick to send others to Paul's examples of obedience when they are struggling or pondering the "how" or the "why", but I have recognized that I myself am not as swift to remind myself of Paul's examples when I ask "how" or "why". 

I see Paul's obedience as an amazing testimony of what living for Christ ought to be, as Paul urgently went wherever God was to send Him, preaching The Good News despite the backlash, judgement, or harsh words that may have been spoken towards him.  He saw the greater picture that by sharing his faith and living a life of obedience he was opening doors and windows for people to curiously wonder who this Jesus is and what He is about.

Personally I fight God on a daily basis when it comes to compassionate reassignment, comfort and familiarity are all too luxurious to give up for a (in my mind at least) less than ideal situation or life style. Though this is where restoration in our trust becomes crucial, without full trust in God's goodness we miss out.

I want to share a story with you from a Youtuber that I watch often.  The lovely girl who runs the channel A Far Away Distance shared a testimony recently about graciously sharing her faith in the back row of an airplane.

She was late getting checked in and she realized she was going to get a "not so great seat" on the plane but as she shared with her mom she "wasn't disappointed because she felt as though God had someone she needed to share her faith with on this flight" she gets on the plane, sits in her seat, and anxiously awaits the person who would join her.  She sees a woman walking towards her and is worried because she sees that this woman wearing a Hijab and thinks to herself " This woman already has her beliefs, how can I share what I believe?" This woman ended up being her row "buddy", she ended up being the sweetest woman in the world, and they ended up having the most fruitful conversation about both of their religions and beliefs that was a gracious and kind experience for the both of them.  All because this young girl (in her twenties I believe) was obedient even in a situation that she was unsure of, all because she took God's Compassionate Reassignment in this airplane, and she took it with grace and trust.  (Watch her video here: Conversations on Planes about Jesus)

Obedience doesn't come easy, it is exceedingly difficult in times that are certain to bring discomfort and growth.  But this is why Paul's teachings and examples are crucial to our growth as Christians, Paul preaches a life of boldness and obedience in compassionate reassignment. I wholeheartedly believe we should all spend more time digging into the life of Paul to see the way Jesus so fearlessly wants us to live as believers and bringers of The Good News.

How can you follow Paul's example of obedience and boldness?  Is God Compassionately Reassigning you? Pray about it and read through Acts 16:1-40.  Let's see where God is wanting to send us!

Restoration

Restoration - repair, rebuild, fix. 

Have you ever gazed back at photos, videos, or memories and wished that you could be that person again?  The happy, the joy, the contentment, the direction, if only you could have that back.  To no longer feel adrift, straying down a path you know you should not be on, to be found? I have been in this season of desiring my former self, the person I was a year ago before I made decisions to trek along this lonely path that has lead to spiritual self destruction.

My own self destruction has lead to mountain sides that feel far to steep to climb. But as Jesus welcomes the prodigals son with open arms, He too welcomes me.

I strangely relate to the prodigal son, because I ran deliberately. Though we may differ in one small way - I knew what I was doing, I knew that good would not come from my actions but I was broken...really broken.  Now I realize a common theme in the girl who used to be, that theme was Jesus.  Jesus had drastically changed my life and made it good, He gave me joy in the everyday, He gave me hope, and He fueled my passions.  With Him I had purpose, without Him I am lost.

If I have cultivated anything over this past year, it is this:  even in the seasons where we are adrift, Jesus is still present. I know this because I felt Him nudge, I felt Him push, and I resisted. I ostracized myself from anything and anyone that had to do with religion, I decided I was done.  He was silently there guiding me in the rebellious path I had chosen. 

See, Jesus doesn't leave.  He stays even when we continuously leave Him, with arms open wide, full of grace, mercy, and forgiveness, He welcomes us home. 


Restoration has been my word recently as I am restoring my relationship with Christ.  But I also feel that we could all use restoration in many areas of our lives.  Restoring our joy, purpose, focus, mindset, friendships, mental health, physical bodies, it is all so necessary. 

I hope that if you soak up anything from my vulnerability that it would be this:  You are never too far gone, Jesus will not ever close the doors on you, you can always come home, and you are always loved.