Scheduling Dream Time

ACTS 10:9- 23 (NIV)

Peter’s Vision

⁹ About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. ¹⁰ He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. ¹¹ He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. ¹² It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. ¹³ Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

¹⁴ “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.”

¹⁵ The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”

¹⁶ This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.

¹⁷ While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. ¹⁸ They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there.

¹⁹ While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. ²⁰ So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”

²¹ Peter went down and said to the men, “I’m the one you’re looking for. Why have you come?”

²² The men replied, “We have come from Cornelius the centurion. He is a righteous and God-fearing man, who is respected by all the Jewish people. A holy angel told him to ask you to come to his house so that he could hear what you have to say.” ²³ Then Peter invited the men into the house to be his guests.

Today's devotional scripture taken from Acts 10 is a wonderful passage because it challenges Peter to rethink the parameters of the CHURCH as it pertains to who is included as part of the church. On the topic of inclusion I could write hundreds of blog post, however for today God has directed my heart to focus on the on the outcome of verse 10, the importance of dreaming and visioning. According to the text Peter is on the roof when he falls into a trance or sleep like state, its during this time that Peter has a vision which changes the entire church. It's amazing to me how God speaks and directs us especially through our dreams and visions. This is why we must be intentional in scheduling dream time. 

Usually when tragedy strikes and trial happens many of us have trouble sleeping, resting and seeing the future past the climatic events of our life. During the worst of times and the best of times we as Christians must schedule monthly, weekly, even daily dream/vision time. Not just time to sleep and rest but intentional time to seek God, and time to imagine who God wants us to become. Taking time out to dream opens us up to new perspectives as well as challenging us to expand our horizions. 

Are you tired of doing the same old things, have you spent years going through the same old motions? When did you last take time out to dream and seek God's guidance in your life? Have you ever scheduled regular dream time? This is you invitation!

Dear God, encourage us to take time out daily to seek, hear and respond to your will by giving us the dreams the prophet Joel spoke of and life changing revelations like those bestowed upon Peter. God grant us new visions, let them began today. This is our prayer in Jesus name. Amen.