Good afternoon, dear people
I was able to do my little old man jog routine this morning. Then I was slated to sit in a dental chair for an hour or so. Haven’t been able to get much more accomplished yet today. I’ll kick myself into some action after sending this. I’ll try not to hurt myself.
Blessings on the rest of your day. Ray.
A “comfort zone” is like a familiar home environment where everything is routine, predictable, and ordered—where people live by habit—where there is little or no interest to escape. It’s quite comfortable.
For many members of the early church who were predominantly Jewish, that community surrounding Jerusalem was a like a comfort zone. Peter seems to fall heavily into that class. There was so much excitement, ministry, miracles, fellowship, and growth right there in that Jewish environment, why give attention elsewhere? Why leave? I think Peter was having so much fun living and ministering there, he had no interest in thinking outside that box.
Obviously, God had other plans. And whereas Peter was such an extraordinary leader, the Lord seems to take some extraordinary measures to capture Peter’s attention and get him to expand the borders of his comfort zone. Of course, the plot does not just surround Peter—it really surrounds the heart of God Who intends the Biblical Gospel to reach beyond Jews so as to include anyone/everyone who believes.
It seems that the highly sensitive radar system of The Most High picked up a signal from a hungry HEART AFTER GOD in Caesarea—that of a Gentile named Cornelius. Since that setting represented another Gospel opportunity, the Lord orchestrated a special coordinated response—beginning with a dream visitation to get Cornelius lined out and ready in Ceasarea—then another dream visitation about 40 miles south to get Peter to step out of his comfort zone and cooperate with this new Gospel venture.
So far it was working. Peter was so impacted by the profound meaning of his dream/vision that he was quite accommodating of the two men sent by Cornelius. It was clear that the Lord was up to something.
Tune in tomorrow to find out what exactly the Lord had in mind.