Monday, February 1, 2010

What We Know

As I think through what I want to say in this post, it all seems so familiar. Maybe an earlier thought, maybe a challenge. Some days it's hard to know what I've already written about. I suppose that's a challenge for someone who loves to write on a regular basis! But, one thing I'm realizing is that even if I've already written about or processed through a topic, it never hurts to review it. And that, in fact, goes hand in hand with the thought I want to share today.


Recently I read again the familiar story of Cornelius. Found in Acts 10, this is the story of Peter's first real exposure to the conversion of Gentiles. So many awesome lessons are found in this whole chapter, in the experiences of both Cornelius and Peter. The first lesson that struck me is found in Acts 10:1-8, which is the introduction to Cornelius himself.


Cornelius loved the Jews. He loved their ways. He gave generously to them. But, even more importantly, he loved their God. He prayed to their God and sought to serve Him in the best way he knew. Based on all that happens throughout this chapter, it's easy to see that his heart was truly in the right place. He really wanted to be a follower of the one true God, and he followed to the best of his ability all that he knew up to that point.


And that's what got me – he was obedient to all he knew. And Acts 10:4 tells us that God was pleased with Cornelius' faithfulness. And then God showed him more.


We don't have to know it all to be pleasing to God. But, we do have to be obedient to what we know. And, as we are obedient to what we know, He takes us further and shows us more. He always provides a way to learn!


Which leaves me to this thought...if there is ever a time when I am not being instructed to go forward, maybe it's time to stop and evaluate. Am I being fully obedient to what the Lord has shown me? Am I following in all I know thus far? Am I being faithful with what He has entrusted to me?


God was so faithful to supply all that Cornelius needed to grow and to be a true God-follower. He will do the same for me as I follow in obedience. Oh, how I look forward to growing!






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