Breaking Old Paradigms

As I was thinking and praying, I was reminded of Acts 10, where Peter has the vision of the sheet being lowered, and is told to eat things that are forbidden. He is being directed by God to do something that he had never done, nor fit into his understanding of his call.


(NIV)Acts 10:13-16
"Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” [14] “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” [15] The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.” [16] This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven."


Then Peter had to accept that which the Lord did in their midst.   Again, this was outside his previous experience or the way he thought it should happen.


(NIV)Acts 10:44-47
"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.”


In this chapter, the Lord clearly broke Peter out of his old paradigm and understanding. He showed him both through word and action that He had other plans and purposes that Peter had never seen or experienced before.   Limiting oneself to anything other than what God limits you would be wrong.


We also can't limit others because we haven't had a particular experience. God is creative and constantly at work, breaking through our paradigms and expanding our understanding. If we try to control our experience by limiting all things to what we have previously experienced, we will never grow. As a friend of mine said last night, "part of the reason people don't want to follow the Holy Spirit, and allow Him to work in their lives, is that they are afraid they will be lead someplace they don't want to go."


Lord, help us to grow and expand, and see things the way You see them!  Help us to not be afraid of those things that are outside our present experience.