But I Said ...

But I said...

"But Peter explained it to them in order from the beginning, saying: I was in the city of Joppa praying; and in a trance I saw a vision, an object descending like a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it came to me. When I observed it intently and considered, I saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, creeping things, and birds of the air. And I heard a voice saying to me, 'Rise, Peter; kill and eat.' But I said, 'Not so, Lord! For nothing common or unclean has at any time entered my mouth.'" Acts 11:4-8 (emphasis mine)

Peter was in a trance and saw a vision. He said, "When I observed it intently and considered..." I believe there are times that God wants to communicate to us but we don't hesitate long enough to observe intently or consider. I'm no referring to visions and trances; I'm referring to the gentle and sometime not-so-gentle promptings of the Holy Spirit that we brush off. Peter said it was when he observed it intently and considered He saw and heard. He saw the particulars of the vision and then heard a voice saying - implying it was the very voice of God. I wonder how much we miss because we do not look intently or consider.

The account is Acts, which was written by Dr. Luke, records this interaction as in the first person and Peter's account of his response to God's voice was: But I said...BUT I SAID. Does that stop you in your tracks? When God communicates with us, if we recount "But I said..." we have just disagreed with the Creator, Sustainer, Almighty One Who governs the universe. The word "but" implies that everything that preceded the "but", has been called into question.

How about you? How are you living your day to day life Coram Deo - before the face of God? Are you responding to God with a "but I say"? I'm sure I have responded just like Peter, more often that I care to admit.

Lord, teach me to look intently into your word, to consider Your truth. Give me eyes to see, ears to hear and a heart that responds "yes, Lord" rather than "But I say". -- Diane Hunt is Director of Addiction Recovery Ministries at America's KESWICK