4TH WEEK OF EASTER

Peter began and explained it to them step by step. 

We all know what hindsight is: it’s a look in the rearview mirror, when we are able to make sense of a situation only after it’s already happened. It’s what Peter experienced as he looked back at the amazing events in today’s first reading (Acts 11:1-18).

As this story unfolds, Peter faces some very unusual situations, and by the end, his whole perspective changes. His vision, the three men knocking on the door, his choosing to go with them “without discriminating” (Acts 11:12), the Holy Spirit falling upon a Gentile household—each of these was another step in God’s plan. But only with spiritual hindsight could Peter see that God wanted to include Gentiles in his Church. Peter became so convinced, in fact, that he was able to explain it to the circumcised believers in Jerusalem (11:2).

Think of how this works in your life. You might go through a situation that doesn’t make sense at the time. Maybe you lost a job and had to stay at home with your children. Or maybe a good friend moved halfway across the country. It was a hard transition, but as you looked back on it later, you saw that God had a perfect purpose and plan in every step. Maybe you were able to have a breakthrough with one of your children or found a new way to deepen your friendship from afar.

Spiritual hindsight can help you stand in awe of God’s plan. What’s more, it can inspire you to lean on God the next time something unexpected comes along.

That’s why it’s worth it every now and then to look back on some of the events in your life or in the lives of your loved ones. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you see how God might have been at work through these circumstances. Even better, write down your insights as a reminder of God’s faithfulness when you doubt. As you do this, you will be better able to imitate Peter: though he might not have understood how everything was going to work out, he tried to follow the Holy Spirit each step along the way.

“Holy Spirit, give me spiritual hindsight to see your faithfulness throughout my life.”

Psalm 42:2-3; 43:3-4
John 10:1-10
Acts 11:1-18

WORD AMONG US