Shocking Visions

One question on the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI) is, “Do you see things that others do not?” Of which I answered, “Yes.” And it was red-flagged. My answer brought about a short discussion. I actually misunderstood the question. The question I answered was, “Do you notice things that others do not?” Which is true, I do not see things that are not there, which the question was trying to ascertain. Our society tends to worry about people who see things that are not there, but not every society. I remember one of my seminary professors, Dr. Martin, tell the story about his time in India when one of his companions pointed to a tree and asked if he saw the demons in it. He did not. While he thought that was strange his other companions did not, though they did not see the demons either. While we look with suspicion on those who have visions, our text from Acts today revolves around two visions. One by Peter and the other by Cornelius. 

For Cornelius, the vision was of an angel and it frightened him. Peter's vision came while he was in a trance and it troubled him. Together these visions came together and changed the life of those who had them and the world. In fact, I would suggest that without the visions none of this would have occurred. We do note that Luke tells us that it is the Holy Spirit who is acting in this story, first to convert the unbeliever, and then to convert the believer. As we have noted, Luke wrote Acts to show an expanding church from Jews to Gentiles, Jerusalem to Rome, and enemies to friends. What shocking visions to those who thought they knew what God wanted them to do. 

While we may not see visions as Cornelius and Peter saw, we can imagine something different and the Holy Spirit can guide those visions so that, we too, will see the new things that God is calling us to do. Although we often, like Peter, are troubled by it. Most of us do not like change and often fight it. You know the words and probably have said them yourself, “We have never done it that way.” But God calls us to new things, new people, and new situations – opportunities to share the love of God. You do not need to have training or a golden tongue to do this. Peter did not. He had the same thing as you; the Holy Spirit.

It is only by the Holy Spirit that we can see God's vision for the world and work to achieve it. Through these past weeks of Easter we have read how those first apostles saw visions and answered Jesus' call. It was not easy for them and, even though Luke tries to smooth out the issues, we note that there were tensions, arguments and struggles as they followed Jesus. Jesus never guaranteed an easy life, riches, or fame. Jesus promised to walk with us as we share God's love with the world.