Haven’t had much to say lately…hence the silence, but I’m back for at least one day! I read something this afternoon that just needed a comment…even if it’s a short one.
I’ve been walking through the Book of Acts for the past few weeks. There is so much going on in that book. Good stuff. Stuff I always seem to forget, so it’s a good reminder every time I read it. And once in awhile I pick up on something I missed the first few times. Today was one of those times as I read the story of Peter being called to go give the Gospel to Cornelius. Nothing major here except for one small detail: Cornelius is a Gentile. (Insert gasps here!!)
Up until this point, Peter has only been preaching to Jews. He doesn’t even consider any other option. Talking to a Gentile is out of the question…much less sharing the Gospel of Christ with them. But God has other plans. So He gives Peter a vision to soften him up a little. And God gives Cornelius a vision to send for Peter. Both of them are obedient (good lesson there, but not for today).
Long story short: Peter visits with Cornelius and shares everything he knows about Jesus. Cornelius and his entire household are baptized with the Holy Spirit and then baptized with water. The Gentiles are officially invited to the party!
But Peter has some ‘splain’ to do when he gets back to Jerusalem. The other apostles and believers would like to know what Peter is doing preaching to Gentiles….hmmm?? So Peter tells them the whole story…and here’s where we get to my own personal light bulb for the day…
“As I began to speak,” Peter continued, “the Holy Spirit fell on them, just as he fell on us at the beginning. Then I thought of the Lord’s words when he said, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ And since God gave these Gentiles the same gift he gave us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to stand in God’s way?” (Acts 11:15-17, NLT)
Did you see it? It’s that last little phrase (which is now highlighted and underlined in my Bible): “…who was I to stand in God’s way?”
What a great question…and theology for life! Who am I to stand in God’s way? And let me tell you, I stand in His way far too often! There, I said it…it’s out in the open. I’m not proud of it, but it happens. I like getting my own way after all…and why can’t my way and God’s way be in synch more often? ;o) Why? Because I’m not God, that’s why.
So I’m going to work on this more. And it helps to know that even a spiritual giant like Peter needed a little help in this department (it took three visions and the prompting of the Holy Spirit more than once to get him to change his ways). That’s good company.
SO now I’m off to try and get out of God’s way…look out world!
