Author Darlene J. Conard

As I gradually stirred from my slumber this morning, a powerful thought came to me about Peter, as described in the Book of Acts, specifically chapter 10:11-13. In that moment, I envisioned Peter going about his daily routine, engrossed in the ordinary rhythm of life. However, just as he was settling down for lunch, a single man’s prayer pierced through the mundane, disrupting his meal. It was a divine moment that shifted the course of his day.

A sheet descended unrolling before him with pictures of various animals on it. According to Jewish law, certain animals were considered forbidden, and as he processed this startling sight, he heard the voice of God commanding, “Arise, kill and eat.” Peter was firm in his convictions and responded, “Not so, Lord, for I have never partaken of anything common or unclean.” Undeterred, God spoke to him again, urging him to take action and consume what had been cleansed by his divine decree. “Do not call it common or unclean,” the Lord insisted, repeating this declaration three times. As the vision faded, the sheet rose toward heaven, a profound reminder that God often disrupts our daily routines to impart greater revelations and insights.

 One evening, as the stars twinkled in the deep indigo sky, my sister turned to me with a thoughtful expression and said, “Darlene, I heard you singing softly, and in my dream, you were singing in front of a large crowd.” I felt a surge of anxiety wash over me, reminiscent of Peter’s denial. “Oh no, not me, Lord,” I thought, my heart pounding at the mere idea of standing before an audience. A profound fear gripped me, stemming from the depths of my soul.

In His infinite wisdom, God knows the hidden capabilities and talents that lie dormant within us. Yet, how can we be so audacious as to claim that He doesn’t know? After all, He created us in His image and spoke the universe into existence. He is the eternal being, the one who exists beyond time, who crafted the very laws of nature to fulfill His divine purpose.

God sees us not as we are, but as who we will become. The essence of the story is that when God declares we will accomplish something, we should not label ourselves as common or unsuitable. God perceives us not just in our current state, but rather as the individuals we have the potential to become. The heart of this message is that when God proclaims our capabilities and the greatness we are destined to achieve, we should resist the temptation to view ourselves as ordinary or inadequate. Instead, we should embrace the divine vision for our lives and recognize our inherent worth and potential.

“Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.”  Psalm 139:16 KJV

Feel free to forward it to anyone you wish.  My mission is to encourage everyone to follow our Lord Jesus Christ with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength. ©Darlene J. Conard Vision Ministries 2024.   This may not be republished or used without the author’s written consent. The photograph is AI-generated. Darlene J. Conard is also affiliated with Glory Carrier Ministries.

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