It is important to keep context and the big picture in the forefront of our hearts and minds during our faith journey. Pastor Adam used an interesting example to demonstrate this point. What if Texas A&M and University of Texas were to play football against each other again this fall? If you know nothing about football in general, and Texas college football specifically (including the rivalry between these two teams), such an event might be a bizarre experience. People dressed in different colors. People yelling with great emotion and passion. People making strange hand signals. All these might seem bizarre to someone who didn’t understand football and this great historical rivalry. That is because of the lack of seeing and knowing the bigger picture. Context is important.
Similarly, a small section of scripture can be - and often is - taken completely out of context and used in ways it was never intended. Do you consider the entire counsel of scripture in your life, your values and your beliefs? Do you pick and choose what and when you listen and obey God?
We are in the midst of a health pandemic with the Covid-19 virus. We are now also in a cultural pandemic in regard to the racial unrest we are seeing and experiencing. Many believe we have been in a spiritual pandemic for many years leading up to this. When a sponge is squeezed—put under pressure—what comes out is exactly what was inside. We are, no doubt, being “squeezed” right now. What is coming out of you? Are you satisfied with what is inside of you and is now coming out? If you would like to change what is inside of you, perhaps it is time to pay more attention to your spiritual life. Are you listening to the voice of God and willing to change and grow, or are you growing away from God and becoming bitter? Are you trying to look at the bigger picture, to learn and to grow?
INVITATION: This week’s topic was planned well before the racial tensions came to a head. However, it is timely and applicable. As we examine the scripture this week from the book of Acts, we find Peter leading the people who make up the early Christian Church. And we see Peter being forced to come face to face with his personal prejudices based on where and how he was raised. He is forced to confront his own prejudice even AFTER years when he trained as a disciple of Jesus. Peter personally saw and experienced the love of Jesus. Yet he still had some teaching, unlearning and relearning to be done. Are you still growing and learning? Are you willing to unlearn some things that God might show you? Can you say, “I was wrong” even if that admission is about long held beliefs, experiences and habits?
MONDAY: Proverbs 20:30: Tragedies and hard times can be fuel to look toward God, be changed and grow. Are you looking toward God in these times? Are you truly listening?
TUESDAY: Acts 10:1-8: Cornelius sounds like a fine, God fearing guy, doesn’t he? Yet he was a Roman and a Gentile. Peter probably distinctly remembers the Romans capturing and crucifying Jesus. Perhaps Peter had PTSD from that experience. Not only that, Peter grew up in cultures where Jews and Gentiles were completely separate. In fact the sentiments went from hostility to hatred. Peter had what might seem like “justified” reasons for not wanting to go to Cornelius. However, Peter listened and obeyed the direction of God. What is God showing you these days? If your answer is “nothing”, commit to making sure that you are listening. Perhaps you are correct and God is not speaking to you right now. But consider listening carefully so that if God wants to speak you, you will have the ears to hear.
WEDNESDAY: Acts 10:9-20: Another reason Peter was unwilling to visit Gentiles is because they ate unclean animals. Then God showed him this vision. You might put yourself in Peter’s place. As you take some time and space today, visualize a great sheet coming down and opening. What are the things inside that make you cry, “Surely not, Lord!”? What makes you hold back? Is it a different race or ethic group? A dirty house? A way of eating or living? A lifestyle you find strange or repugnant? As you look around you, hear God’s word to you: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” What can you do to move from prayer to action today?
THURSDAY: Acts 10:23-29: Peter probably felt very out of place, but he was attentive and obedient to God. This type of obedience does not occur overnight. This event takes place many years into Peter’s journey as a believer in Jesus Christ. Are you allowing God to change you in small ways - each and every day? It is a process. It is a matter of day in day out training….not just getting up one day with short lived resolve to try hard. What sort of spiritual disciplines are in place in your life for the training process?
FRIDAY: Acts 10:30-48: This potentially volatile situation resulted in repentance, healing and even baptism. Peter was asked by Cornelius to stay at his house. They made room for Peter and the message of Christ. How can you make room in your life for Christ today and this week? Will you pray for repentance and healing for our lives, cities and our country?
SATURDAY: Ephesians 2:14-16: We are “fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household.” The very purpose of Jesus coming to earth, his death and his crucifixion is for things that divide to be abolished. Are you willing to ask Jesus if there is anything in your life that causes division?