When God Changes Your Perspective
Scripture:
"But he became hungry and was desiring to eat; but while they were making preparations, he fell into a trance; and he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, 'Get up, Peter, kill and eat!' But Peter said, 'By no means, Lord, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.' Again a voice came to him a second time, 'What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.'" - Acts 10:10-15
"For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall." - Ephesians 2:14
Cowboy Wisdom:
Three times God showed Peter that sheet full of unclean animals. Three times He had to challenge Peter's deeply held beliefs. Sometimes God has to break through our stubbornness like a wrangler breaking a green horse—repeatedly, patiently, firmly.
God wasn't really talking about food. He was talking about people. Peter had built walls in his mind about who was "clean" and who wasn't, who was acceptable and who was off-limits. But God was tearing down those fences. The ground at the foot of the cross is level—there's no high ground for anyone to claim. Peter's response to God was bold: "By no means, Lord!" That's like saying "No, Boss" to the ranch owner. Yet Peter had to learn that God was doing something new, breaking down the barrier between Jew and Gentile. The old categories and prejudices had to die. Through Jesus Christ, God made both groups into one and opened access to the Father for everyone. What we consider unclean or unacceptable, God may have already cleansed and welcomed. Our job is to adjust our thinking to match His heart.
"Sometimes you've got to change the bit before the horse will change direction. God may need to change your thinking before you'll change your ways."
Questions for Reflection:
What "unclean" prejudices or biases might God be challenging in your life?
Are there people groups or individuals you've mentally categorized as "less than"?
How can you actively work to see others as God sees them?
Prayer Focus:
Ask God to reveal any blind spots in your heart—areas where you've judged or excluded others. Pray for the humility to let Him change your perspective, even when it's uncomfortable.
