Reading Plan:
Acts 10

Our Thoughts:
I love how God uses nature and normal behaviors in life to teach us invaluable lessons. I specifically remember a time when my family and I were camping at the creek. While we were there, I spent a lot of time praying through some things and just seeking answers from God. I began to see a pattern that each time I would start praying - this one specific bird would start chirping so loudly that it was almost a distraction. It happened so many times that I just couldn’t believe it was a coincidence. Then, I started noticing this same little bird would follow me everywhere. He made his presence known anytime I would walk outside, and he stayed with me the whole time. Out of curiosity, I looked it up and found out it was Carolina Wren. The more I took notice of this bird, the more I realized it was an invaluable lesson for me. The answer I needed most was a reminder of God’s presence. I needed to remember that He is with me no matter what I go through. He never leaves me, and His voice will be heard above everything else. That little wren taught me so much on that trip, and you can guarantee that I never see a Carolina Wren without remembering God is with me.
In Acts 10, we see that Peter receives an important message from God that brings a crucial change to his faith and beliefs. In verses 9-13, we see Peter went to pray, and “he became hungry and wanted something to eat.” That’s such an interesting fact to include in this story, but actually smart when you think about it. God uses Peter’s distraction of hunger as an avenue to introduce a life-altering change. When Peter received the vision from God, he thought it had to do with food. In reality, it held much more significance. It led to changing Peter’s heart and mind to go against every religious custom and tradition he was ever taught. God was revealing to Peter that His gift of Jesus Christ was not only for the Jews, but for the Gentile people as well. I believe from that point on when Peter found himself hungry, he would always remember the message God had given him through his appetite.
Have you ever considered that the things we see as a distraction may very well be an avenue that God intends to use to bring us a message? The only way to know for sure is to give Him the time he deserves to show us. It’s easier said than done, but being intentional with spending time alone with God comes with rewards that you can’t find anywhere else in this world. It comes down to one question: how bad do we want to experience Jesus? If we want something bad enough, we will take the time to get it. Pull away from the world, and spend time with Jesus alone to see what message He wants to speak to you today!

More Questions:
Is there something in your life that triggers a reminder of how God once spoke to you?
What are some boundaries you have set that safeguard your daily time alone with Jesus?

Prayer:
Lord, please help me to always be aware of your presence and to hear your voice when you speak. I ask that you give me eyes to see my distractions in a new light. Help me to listen and learn how you can use distractions to teach me important truths about you.

Author: Angie Gates