TOPIC: Change
REFERENCES: Acts 16:4-10 (MSG)

SUMMARY
Have you ever encountered a freeway shutdown that required you to take a detour into unfamiliar neighborhoods? Have you wondered which way to turn? How long will this take? How do I get back going the direction that I want to go, that I feel like I should be going? These Road Rules will offer tips to help you practice good driving habits when you are caught without a compass and are not sure where to turn next.

Rules of the Road:
1. Do what you know is right.
- do the moral thing, the right thing, regardless of how uncertain the future is

2. Develop a Plan
- any plan is better than no plan, any movement is better than no movement
- God doesn’t steer parked cars
- ready, fire, aim
- paralysis of analysis can be deadly in life

3. Remain open to God’s leading
- you develop a plan, get moving, but always remain open

4. Wait for the pieces to come together
- sometimes we don’t understand the closed doors that we encounter, but if we just remain faithful, trusting God’s leading, following His compass for our life, we will look back in years to come and see how God put all the pieces together.

5. Always ask the question, “Am I following God’s compass for my life?”

Pedal:
At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things that I did that was wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was sort of out there like the president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

But, later on when I met Christ, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.

I didn’t know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has never been the same since. When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But, when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on!!!! Even when it looked like madness, He said, "PEDAL!”

I worried and was anxious and I asked, "where are you taking me?" He just laughed, but didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and I entered into the adventure. And when I'd say, "I'm scared," He'd lean back and touch my hand.
He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me gifts on my journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again.

He said, "give those gifts away, they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I didn't trust Him at first, in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it. But He knows bike secrets, He knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks and fly to shorten scary passages. And I'm learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. Plus, I'm beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face, with my delightful and constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I'm sure I can't do any more, He just smiles and says, "PEDAL!”

MY COMMENTS
One of my favorite sermons! I love the way Gordon tells the story at the end....you won't want to miss it!