By Andrew Williams
Acts 10:23-24 (NLT) “So Peter invited the men to stay for the night. The next day he went with them, accompanied by some of the brothers from Joppa. They arrived in Caesarea the following day. Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends.”
Good morning fellow disciples.
This passage is part of the story where Peter is invited to the home of Cornelius, a Gentile centurion, after receiving a vision from God. Up until this point, Jewish believers like Peter often struggled to fully understand that the Gospel was for all people, not just for the Jews. But through this divine invitation, Peter begins to see God’s heart for inclusivity. By accepting Cornelius’ invitation and traveling to Caesarea, Peter is taking a significant step of obedience, redirecting his focus from cultural biases to God’s greater mission of salvation for all. Cornelius, on the other hand, eagerly gathers his loved ones, showing his own desire to receive and share God’s message.
Peter’s willingness to step beyond his comfort zone and Cornelius’ eagerness to welcome others into the encounter with God remind us of the power of obedience and openness in fulfilling God’s mission. As disciples, we are called to redirect our focus from personal preferences, traditions, or fears to God’s vision of reaching all people. The Gospel is not limited by background, culture, or status. Like Peter, we are empowered to embrace opportunities to connect with those who may be different from us, trusting that God’s Spirit is at work.
This week, examine your heart for any barriers that might prevent you from fully embracing God’s inclusive mission. Are there people you’ve hesitated to engage with because of differences in culture, background, or beliefs? Redirect your focus by praying for God to open your heart to see others as He does. Take a step of faith by reaching out to someone new—whether it’s inviting a neighbor for coffee, engaging with a coworker, or joining a diverse community event. Trust that God can use these connections to bring His love and truth to others.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your heart that desires all people to know You. Forgive me for the times I’ve placed limits on whom I share Your love with. Help me to redirect my focus to Your inclusive mission, seeing every person as someone You deeply care for. Give me the courage to step out of my comfort zone and the humility to follow where You lead. Use me, Lord, to bring the message of hope and salvation to all people, just as Peter did when he obeyed Your call. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
