Sharing Fabric

Reading: Acts 10

"And on the next day he got up and went away with them, and some of the brethren from Joppa accompanied him." Acts 10:23-24

Examination:

Peter left Joppa on a mission. He was sure of his direction, but unsure of the specifics. God would end up using this mission to affirm the disciples in preaching the gospel to the gentile nations. It was a huge stepping stone in God's plans for spreading the gospel. All of this started with a man named Cornelius. Though he was outside of a relationship with God; he recognized and celebrated the movement of God he saw in the lives of others. Instead of being envious or jealous Cornelius choose to celebrate something good in the life of another.

Application:

There are two main things that God is bringing to my attention this morning. First, no one person owns the whole mission. In this passage there are several people playing critical roles in bringing this vision to life. God did not equip me to accomplish everything on my own. He gives me pieces of the tapestry and expects me to connect with the pieces He has placed in the lives of others. Envy, jealousy, and insecurity all block this from happening.

Second, I need to get on God's agenda. Everyone active in this chapter was moving on something birthed from God. Cornelius heard from God. Peter heard from God. All the people in Cornelius' house heard from God. In each step of the process they sought and heard the voice of God and then ran after it in complete self-abandonment.

Prayer:

Father I desire more of You. I do not want more rules, more rituals, or more knowledge; I want more of YOU. Your heart. Your voice. Your movement. I want Your manifest, tangible presence to be the backdrop of every tapestry I create. I desire for the halls of my heart to be filled with incredible, visible reminders of Your hand at work. I need to be faithful in weaving my part of the tapestry You have called me to join You in creating. Help me have a heart that is willing to share the fabric You have given to me and prevent my pride from not receiving fabric You have given to others.