Yesterday, while worshipping at church I had a memory pop into my mind, which is not all uncommon. This particular memory was about the beach out front of the Maui Kai, the place we always stay when we go to Maui. Normally there is a decent beach, maybe 20-30 feet of sand at low-tide, and we normally walk that beach in the morning and this time when we arrived there was no sand at all, just rocks and then water, even at low tide. Apparently they had a big storm that had swept all the sand away. Anyway, we were a bit disappointed, but then one morning we woke up and looked out and there was a beach again. Overnight, something had changed in the current that had caused literally tons of sand to be deposited right in front of our condo. This memory of the sand appearing overnight is what I was reminded of during worship.
When thoughts like that, apparently random thoughts, pop into my mind while I am praying or worshipping, I believe the Lord is speaking and wants me to pay attention, some times its random ideas, other times He is using imagery. Often times it takes a bit of reflection to understand exactly what the Lord is communicating, and yesterday was no exception. As I continued to worship and reflect, the Lord reminded me of the scripture I had been reading before heading to church, and it was out of Acts 10, where the Lord intervenes in Peter's life, and in the life of Cornelius, and changes the course of history, for that was the first time that the Apostles were specifically directed to reach out to the Gentiles. Here are some of the key verses, however, the whole chapter is worth reading: Acts 10:1-6,9-13,19-23,34-35,44-48 NIV:
[1] At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. [2] He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. [3] One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” [4] Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. [5] Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. [6] He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.”
[9] About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. [12] It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. [13] Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”
[19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. [20] So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.” [21] Peter went down and said to the men, “I'm the one you're looking for. Why have you come?” [22] The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” [23] Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests. The next day Peter started out with them, and some of the believers from Joppa went along.
[34] Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism [35] but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.
(Peter then provides a quick summary of Jesus' ministry, death and resurrection which I did not copy here)
[44] While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. [45] The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. [46] For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, [47] “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” [48] So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days."
As I was once again reflecting on these verses, during worship, I felt the Lord say that just like the change in the ocean current, that which happened overnight and under the surface and radically changed the beach front, He is at work now, in the Church. This story from Acts 10 demonstrates how the Holy Spirit clearly directed and guided the Church into a whole new, unexpected path. Essentially Cornelius's house was the first beach-head of the Church into the Gentile nations. It was my distinct impression that the Lord wanted us to know that He is moving in the same way now! No one expected Him to do what He did that day in Caesarea, even after Peter's vision they were still astonished when the Holy Spirit came on all the Gentiles (see verse 45 above)!
I believe He is at work now, under the surface, getting ready to radically change things, and He wants us to be ready for the change! I love how in this story the Holy Spirit doesn't even wait for Peter to finish speaking, but just interrupts the sermon and pours out on all who were listening! He is the exact same Holy Spirit today and I get this feeling that He is every bit as excited to release that which He is working on even now. Could we be part of a new beach-head work of the Holy Spirit? Could He do a similar thing that He did in Caesarea? Could God be about a radical shift? I don't know the answer, but I know He has plans and He is moving, and we are going to be affected.
This morning, I am greatly encouraged that the Lord is on the move! I am encouraged that He apparently wants us to be ready! I am encouraged that He is moving already and one of these days we are going to wake up and experience what He has been working on all along, and some of those works will become visible! I am encouraged that He is speaking about the coming changes, so that our hearts will be ready to embrace them, even if we don't fully understand them. I am encouraged because God wants to move, more than we want Him to move, and He might just interrupt us again!
Amen and Amen! Come Lord!
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