…IT’S BECAUSE THEY WEREN’T THERE WHEN GOD SPOKE TO YOU ON THE SUBJECT MATTER.
Many people don’t realise that there are times when even you are still questioning and trying to understand why God asked you to take a step that defies human reasoning. Yet, in those moments, obedience is key—you must trust and follow His lead. Peter had this dilemma in Acts 10:13-16 & Acts 11:2-3. The intentions of those criticising his actions were good but God’s directive is more important than any religious assertions.
13 And a voice came to him, “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.”
14 But Peter said, “Not so, Lord! For I have never eaten anything common or unclean.”
15 And a voice spoke to him again the second time, “What God has [a]cleansed you must not call common.” 16 This was done three times. And the object was taken up into heaven again.
– Acts 10:13-16 (NKJV)
2 And when Peter came up to Jerusalem, those of the circumcision contended with him, 3 saying, “You went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them!”
– Acts 11:2-3 (NKJV)
After my study, I concluded that there are steps you and I will take in our relationships, careers, businesses, and spiritual journey that is a result of our private conversations with God and which others may not understand. These steps will concern people around us but if it is from God, it will be for the furtherance of His agenda around the world.
People won’t understand why you married your partner, but they weren’t there when God said to you, ‘That is the one.’
People won’t understand why you chose that career/business path; they weren’t there when God said, ‘Here is the way, walk in it.’
People won’t understand why you have few friends, they weren’t there when God said to you, “Evil company corrupts good manners.”
People won’t understand how you got rich in spite of your background; they weren’t there when God said to you, “I became poor so that you can become rich.”
People will try to live your life for you, but God’s voice is your final marching order. If you don’t have a personal relationship with Him, then this can be a little bit challenging as you will be tossed by people’s opinions of you. But in my experience, there’s no better way than God’s way.
Have you been in situations where nobody understood your actions even though God led you to do it? How did you navigate it? You may help someone by sharing.