Today’s Scripture: Acts 11:1-18 (NRSV) (The Message)
As you read, consider: What might God be saying to me? Summarize your thoughts in a sentence or two.
My thoughts (Tyler Connoley):
In so many ways, the book of Acts repeats the same story over and over. It’s the story of early Christian believers learning the lesson that God really does love everyone. Each time someone grasps this concept, he or she has to pass the knowledge on to someone else who still doesn’t. Other times, someone will “get it” and then forget it, and have to get it again.
Sound familiar? It should, because the same story has been repeated throughout the history of Christianity, and continues to be repeated today.
It’s easy for us to look at Peter and the apostles and think how ignorant they are for thinking that Gentiles might not be accepted by God. And, yet, each of us has people we don’t think should be included.
I have gay friends who don’t “get” transgender people, and wonder why they should be included. Likewise, I’ve known transgender people in opposite-gender relationships who wanted to exclude homosexuals from the Family of God, because “they aren’t in a normal heterosexual relationship like mine.” It doesn’t matter who we are, we all have this tendency to want to slam the door behind us as soon as we enter the Kingdom.
And, so, God says the same thing over and over: “What I have made clean, you must not call profane.” And God continues to gives the gift of the Holy Spirit to people whom we don’t think worthy.
Thought for the day: How committed are you to the idea that God loves everyone? Who are you still not sure about? Ask God to help you love them too.
We encourage you to include a time of prayer with this reading. If you need a place to get started, consider the guidelines on the How to Pray page.