Rise and go.

Acts 10:17-21, Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision that he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them.” And Peter went down to the men and said, “I am the one you are looking for. What is the reason for your coming?”

From this we see that Peter did not even know the reason for the men coming to see him, nor did he understand the connection with the vision he had seen. Even so, he is attuned to the leading of the Holy Spirit and he doesn’t ask questions, he does what he is asked to do. Our culture doesn’t like this kind of leading, our culture teaches us to make reasoned decisions, to get all the information and to be careful who you trust. Certainly we want to test the spirits, to be sure we are hearing the Holy Spirit with the plumb line of scripture; and we also need to be ready to move when he truly calls us! Am I taking the time to listen?

Give us ears to hear your call and the courage to follow your leading today, to “Rise and go” as did Peter, O Lord!

ESV Lectionary