Ordinary Time

Pause

When roadblocks appear in your life, calm down and pray for God’s Spirit, the giver of hope and direction, to guide you.

Praise God that the Spirit is at work in your life.

Listen

“At that moment three men who had been sent to me from Caesarea arrived at the house where we were staying. The Spirit told me to go with them even though they were Gentiles. These six brothers also went with me, and we entered that man’s house. He reported to us how he had seen an angel standing in his house and saying, ‘Send to Joppa and summon Simon, who is known as Peter. He will tell you how you and your entire household can be saved.’”

Acts 11:11-14

Think

At the very same time, God’s spirit was working in the lives of Peter and Cornelius – or we could say in the lives of both the Jews and the Gentiles. Both men shared a similar vision, and God sent people to speak with Peter and then take him to this other dreamer so they could meet. On that day, barriers were broken, and the result was that a whole household believed in the resurrected Christ and followed Jesus as Lord.

This is a story of the disciple and church leader, Peter, who paid attention to his vision, allowed God’s Spirit to speak, and then responded to God’s leading.

This is also a story of the Gentile and Roman centurion, Cornelius, who exhibited wisdom and courage when responding to God’s call to follow Christ.

What might happen in our world today if we were wise enough to listen to God’s messengers and courageous enough to respond to God’s Spirit?

Ka’thy Gore Chappell

Pray

Thank you, God, for speaking to me individually through your Spirit. Guide my reflections as I relate, learn, pray, reflect, communicate, and yes, dream. I pray for courage in order to respond to your leading. Amen.

Go

Go with God courageously into the world to face life’s barriers.

Go with God confidently to overcome them.

Praise the Lord!