A Strange Opportunity

Scripture – Acts 10:30-33: ³⁰Cornelius answered: “Four days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me ³¹and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. ³²Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ ³³So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

Reflection: This story continues to fascinate me. After the Spirit moves separately in the lives of these two men – after they respond and do what they’re told to do – they now find themselves face to face. What’s intriguing is they still, neither one, know exactly what’s going on.

Peter has just asked, “May I ask why you sent for me?” (Vs. 10:29) Cornelius has gathered a large group of friends and family, but he doesn’t know either. So his response is, “We are all here….to listen….to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”

I wonder what went through Peter’s mind at that point. What would I do if all at once I was facing a crowd of eager listeners? What would you do?

Part of the adventure of following Christ is being ready for unexpected opportunities to share a word about Jesus. I’ll stay tuned into that today. I’ll keep myself ready to respond.