Encounter Gaps

While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if … Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for …”
- from Acts 10:17-21

Peter’s prayer time ended and he was quickly catapulted into a situation where he was forced to put into action this new principle he had learned: “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

Christians were being persecuted. Jesus had been arrested and crucified. And Peter had received a prediction from Jesus that one day Peter would be arrested and taken to where he didn’t want to go (see John 21:18). All of this might have rattled through Peter’s mind when the men showed up at the house: a soldier and two of Cornelius’ servants.

Peter had no idea why they had come. Were they there to arrest him? Were they there to kill him? Were they there to take advantage of him or mock him or trick him? Peter didn’t know, and he didn’t let his guesses or his fears keep him from stepping forward.

When we bump up against the barriers that divide us from other people, we often encounter gaps like these. We don’t know why people are doing or saying what they’re doing and saying. We don’t understand. We’re tempted to fill in those gaps. And, having filled in those gaps, we’re tempted to be guarded and defensive.

Peter allowed God’s edict to supersede those gaps. Filled with boldness, Peter came downstairs and engaged. And, as we’ll see on Sunday, that willingness to engage was used by God in a powerful way.

What do you do when you encounter gaps in your knowledge? Are you a listener or do you dive right in? Do you step forward or do you run away? What are healthy ways that you engage in those low-knowledge situations? What are unhealthy ways you engage in those low-knowledge situations? What do you sense God affirming in you or wanting to adjust in you today?

Leave a Comment

Comments for this post have been disabled.