Acts 10:34-48

Be still: God, help me to understand your Word today so that I can know you better. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Read: Acts 10:34-48

Then Peter began to speak: 'I now realise how true it is that God does not show favouritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right.'(v34-35)

Encounter: When I was in primary school, about 6 years old, I wanted to have white skin and long blonde hair. As a black woman, looking back on this over 20 years later, it breaks my heart. Without being old enough to understand concepts of race and privilege, my child brain thought that if I looked different, I’d have access to a higher level of kindness and favour from people, that I didn't think I could get in this skin. I thought I needed to change my exterior packaging.

Favouritism is a strange word. It can be light-hearted, a fun little benefit when you’re on the receiving end of it; all the way to being extremely weighty and insidious when it becomes discrimination that turns its back on you and shuts you out of friendships and opportunities. So, what Peter realises here is big. Through actions, God shows Peter that all people have the same intimate access to God. No changing of packaging is necessary, God wants to give his Spirit to all.

The word ‘accept’ in v35 isn’t an indifferent invitation from God as he shrugs his shoulders at us. It’s a personal handwritten one to each of us. We know this because God sought Cornelius out through a spiritual encounter. The requirements for God’s acceptance are internal – having an awe of God and continuing to walk with him; both things we can only do with his help. But the external packaging: language, worship style, culture, outfits etc, that is all up for grabs. God specifically wants you, so come to him as you are.

Apply: Are there moments where you have felt the need to change to belong in church? Or are there people you may have excluded? Present those moments honestly to God and ask him to show you his truth.

Devote: Thank you, God, that you did away with favouritism centuries ago and that we don’t need to put on a specific culture or aesthetic to be loved and accepted by you.