The space between vision and understanding

Sometimes there is a space of time, and of experiences, before we come to understand what God is saying to us ...

Peter saw a vision of a sheet, filled with unclean animals, coming down from heaven. A voice told him to “Eat!” But Peter replied he’s never eaten unclean food. To which the voice said:

"What God has cleaned don't you call unclean!"

This exchange happened three times.

As he was thinking what this vision meant, some people came to invite him to visit their Gentile master. Peter asked them in.

This was the first bite he took of the “unclean” food.

The next day (what was Peter thinking as he tossed and turned in bed that night?) – the next day he went with his Gentile visitors to their master’s place.

This was the second bite he took of “unclean” food.

When he arrived at Cornelius’ house, he found a crowd of unclean Gentiles waiting for him. And Peter said: "You know, I’ve never been with Gentiles like this, but God has shown me not to call anyone unclean."

By the time of this third bite, Peter had come to understand the “application” of that vision.

And the great Good News was opened to the Gentiles.

May God give us visions. At least may he speak to our spirits by his Spirit.

And then may we go through that space of experience in which what he says becomes clear in our circumstances.

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Acts 10. 9b- 28 Peter went up on the roof to pray. [10] He became hungry and wanted something to eat; and while it was being prepared, he fell into a trance. [11] He saw the heaven opened and something like a large sheet coming down, being lowered to the ground by its four corners. [12] In it were all kinds of four-footed creatures and reptiles and birds of the air. [13] Then he heard a voice saying, "Get up, Peter; kill and eat." [14] But Peter said, "By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is profane or unclean." [15] The voice said to him again, a second time, "What God has made clean, you must not call profane." [16] This happened three times, and the thing was suddenly taken up to heaven. [17] Now while Peter was greatly puzzled about what to make of the vision that he had seen, suddenly the men sent by Cornelius appeared. They were asking for Simon's house and were standing by the gate. [18] They called out to ask whether Simon, who was called Peter, was staying there. [19] While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, "Look, three men are searching for you. [20] Now get up, go down, and go with them without hesitation; for I have sent them." [21] So Peter went down to the men and said, "I am the one you are looking for; what is the reason for your coming?" [22] They answered, "Cornelius, a centurion, an upright and God-fearing man, who is well spoken of by the whole Jewish nation, was directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear what you have to say." [23] So Peter invited them in and gave them lodging. The next day he got up and went with them, and some of the believers from Joppa accompanied him. [24] The following day they came to Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] On Peter's arrival Cornelius met him, and falling at his feet, worshipped him. [26] But Peter made him get up, saying, "Stand up; I am only a mortal." [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found that many had assembled; [28] and he said to them, "You yourselves know that it is unlawful for a Jew to associate with or to visit a Gentile; but God has shown me that I should not call anyone profane or unclean.