I Have Some Hesitations…

Read: Acts 10

It is normal to have some hesitation when first entering into your life in Christ… following him into the uncharted waters. This is not necessarily an indicator of a lack of faith… it may just be a sign that you are NORMAL… you are human. Look at Peter here, he is “perplexed” and unsure about what to do next. (v.17) At that very moment, the envoy form Cornelius shows up. Did you notice who Cornelius sent? : “When the angel who spoke to him had departed, he (Cornelisu) called two of his servants and a devout soldier from among those who attended him, and having related everything to them, he sent them to Joppa.” (v.7) There was a soldier along for the ride… from the Roman army… the same army that was oppressing the Israelites. Do you think Peter had some nerves about it all? Of course he did! This is why the Lord shows up and says, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” (v.19)

Without hesitation. God acknowledges the reality that for us… as his children… as humans… we will struggle with fear and potential hesitation. When three strangers show up, one of them a soldier, all of them “outsiders” and they say… “come with us”… that is a little scary. Had God not told Peter to go… I would understand him pausing… “hesitating”… but when God speaks it is a whole different story. This is what it looks like to walk with the Lord: we need to learn to follow “without hesitation” once he has told us what to do. Peter does just that, and watch what happens.

Cornelius had no doubts that God was working and would bring Peter. Cornelius did not “hesitate”. In fact, he invited over all his family and friends. He was banking on Peter showing up… or else the joke would have been on him. (v.24) When we realize that God is making the “unclean” clean… we can shed our old conceptions and boldly walk into whatever new situation God calls us into. This is what Peter says: “but God has shown me that I should not call any person common or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without objection.” (v.28) Peter did not hesitate and neither did Cornelius. Both of them are Godly men… both of them trusting… both of them led by the Spirit… both of them made clean despite being from very different backgrounds. (Jew vs. Gentile / Roman vs. Israelite / Affluent vs. Poor / Warrior vs. Fisherman; Pastor)

You see, “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.” (v.34) We should be “amazed” at the scope of God’s work. What a privilege for us to be surprised by the people God is calling to himself. Oh that our obedience to God’s calling would lead us into opportunities to see the lives of people we thought were so far gone… to see those lives changed. God is bringing the “outsiders” in… this is good news for everyone of us that has felt like we do not fit… like we are on the outskirts of life!

So, what is it that gives you “nerves”? What is it that is causing “hesitation” in you? Speak to the Lord about it today. Speak to those brothers and sisters in Christ about it today. Be honest with yourself… what or who is God moving you towards… and what is it that you fear? Is there something that “perplexes” you … like it did Peter… Maybe God has already sent some people to you that will make sense and you need only be willing to listen to what they have to say… share a meal with them the way Peter ate with Cornelius’ envoy before they headed out. Some of you know very well what it is you need to do… you are just hesitant… afraid… holding back. Try just saying it out loud today. Start by saying it out loud to yourself… then to someone else. The goal is moving into the wort of life in Christ that has no hesitations… when he says to move… you are willing to move… willing to “move without objection” even if it means facing some fear and the unknown. Maybe it simply means starting by throwing a party and inviting some people over, like Cornelius, letting them know you are going to talk about spiritual things and then trusting that God will show up the way that Peter did! Maybe it just means being willing to go to the place God has called you, and you might be surprised by what God has waiting for you there. Love you guys. - JDP