Meditations from Zion

Acts 10:2b-3a
…he [Cornelius] gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision.

Visions don’t just happen. Prayer, meditation and service to God are all part of the process. But one also has to be open to seeing a vision. Why? Because visions are usually “out of the box.”

I have not had a vision in a long time. And I think the block is my being closed off from the extraordinary.

The entire book of Revelation is a series of visions. John did his best to describe what he was seeing, but really, his descriptions are limited to his knowledge of the world. The “monster-like” creatures he saw could have been modern machinery. We’ll never know unless God chooses our generation to be the end of the age.

Cornelius had a smaller vision. He was simply asked to fetch Peter to his home. But was this insignificant? Not really. A Jew did not enter the home of a gentile. End of story. By sending his servants, Cornelius was operating out of nothing but sheer obedience. He also trusted his vision!

I once had a vision of Jesus walking along one side of a river and me walking on the opposite side. I wanted desperately to get across to the other side but the river was rushing and too deep. He was calm and patient and unworried. I was frazzled and calling to him to help me cross. Finally, he pointed ahead and sure enough, there was a bridge. I distinctly remembering hearing him say, there is always bridge if you look for it.

Cornelius and Peter had a river between them. And fortunately for all of us in subsequent generations, they found a bridge as well.

Visions are an important part of our devotional lives.

I realized today that I have not been open to having visions. Although I am walking with the Lord in a more meaningful way than ever before, I am still walking on my side of the river.

Lord, open my heart and mind to seeing visions and dreaming dreams that I might better understand your kingdom.