Have you ever been totally convinced you were doing the right thing only to find out you were way off?
That happened to me years ago when a friend and I were trying to find a pizza spot somewhere in Chicago.
It was late, we were hungry, and we were following directions the best we could. But after turning down one street, then another, we found ourselves face-to-face with two police cars, heading straight toward us.
At first, I was confused. Why in the world were they driving into oncoming traffic?
Well, turns out we were the ones going the wrong way down a one-way street. Completely clueless. Lost tourists from Texas.
I still laugh thinking about the look on those officers’ faces. They didn’t write us a ticket or even get upset. They just kind of looked at us like, “Bless your heart… how did y’all make it this far?”
But that moment taught me something. Sometimes, we’re so sure we’re headed the right way—until we realize we’re not. And by then, the only thing left to do is turn around.
Romans 6 addresses the same idea. Paul basically says that you’re always moving in a direction—either toward sin, which leads to death, or toward obedience, which leads to life.
There’s no sitting in the middle. No “kind of” following Jesus while also doing your own thing. That’s like trying to park in the middle of a one-way street and hoping for the best.
But here’s what’s beautiful: Jesus doesn’t leave us stuck. Grace is not a pass to keep going the wrong way—it’s the power to turn around.
Maybe lately you’ve realized you’ve been chasing after things that keep you stuck.
Maybe grace has felt more like a distant idea than something you can actually live in.
Maybe obedience feels like a heavy weight, not the freedom God intended.
Here’s the truth: Grace doesn’t drag us down. It picks us up. It redirects. It restores. It sets us on the path of real life—the kind of life that looks like Jesus.
So this week, let’s pray:
🙏 God, thank You that Your grace doesn’t cover up our confusion in and to sin—it points us back to You.
🙏 Show us where we’ve been walking in circles or heading the wrong way.
🙏 Help us surrender—not just once, but daily—so we can walk in freedom, holiness, and with Your Spirit.
🙏 Lead us away from what pulls us back, and give us the strength to keep running the right way, with You.
Keep going, family. You’re not running in circles. You’re not alone. And you’re definitely not without hope.
We’re cheering you on and running with you toward our new life in Jesus.
See you at 12 pm!
God Bless,
Pastor Alvin & Mallary Brown
alvin@makingamosaic.com :: mallary@makingamosaic.com
P.S. Is there something specific you need prayer for this week? Just reply—we’d be honored to stand with you.
General Prayer Requests & Updates
For evangelism to flourish so communities and campuses in the greater Fort Worth area will be reached, and the lost will see and experience the love of Christ and be drawn to his kingdom.
For signs and wonders to follow the preaching of His Word.
For team unity and laborers to help carry the load.
For finances and provisions.
For fully funded campus missionaries (2 per campus) to help reach the next generation — Texas Christian University (TCU), Tarrant County College (TCC), Texas Wesleyan University (TWU) and Tarleton State University – Fort Worth (TSU), University of Texas at Arlington (UTA), and Dallas Baptist University (DBU).
Alvin Brown, the Lead Pastor of Mosaic Church Fort Worth, brings over a decade of pastoral ministry experience and more than 20 years of operational and technical leadership expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Telecommunications Management from DeVry University and an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management. He enjoys spending quality time with his wife, Mallary, and their three children and contributing as a writer to various media outlets.
