“Now as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down to the saints who lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, bedridden for eight years, who was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, ‘Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed.’ And immediately he rose…
“In those days [Dorcas] became ill and died, and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him, urging him, ‘Please come to us without delay.’ So Peter rose and went with them. And when he arrived, they took him to the upper room… Peter knelt down and prayed; and turning to the body he said, ‘Tabitha, arise.’ And she opened her eyes, and… sat up.
“The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray… and saw the heavens opened…
“Now while Peter was inwardly perplexed as to what the vision he had seen might mean, behold, the men who were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood at the gate and called out to ask whether Simon who was called Peter was lodging there. And while Peter was pondering the vision, the Spirit said to him, ‘Behold, three men are looking for you. Rise and go down and accompany them without hesitation, for I have sent them…’
“‘Everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.’ While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word.” Acts 9:32-34,37-40; 10:9,11a,17-20,43b-44
Peter was a man on a mission, emboldened by Jesus before His ascension, filled with the Holy Spirit. He moved here and there as one led, devoted to prayer, open to the Lord’s instruction, and available for the opportunities He presented. Without a prescribed daily plan of his own, he effectively ministered according to God’s. Under His direction and anointing, Peter taught, healed, challenged, and blessed innumerable people. (Matthew 28:18-20; John 21:22; Acts 11:5-11)
In our frenzied world, we may find we often go here and there, either pulled or self-driven… but with no clear direction, accomplishing little, exhausting ourselves. Contrasted to the disciple, we see only just in front of us, get entrenched in our agenda, and leave no time to pause for clarification, no energy for a change, no margin for an added request.
But the Lord is all about our here and there. Jesus was always alert to individuals and needs around Him, and tended to them with grace and focus and without delay. He in us can enable our hearts to so desire and our eyes to so see. What richness awaits if we would move with His purpose!
How willing are we to make ourselves available to go here and there at God’s bidding, perhaps to new and unfamiliar places, or with people we would not choose? How can we implement some margin in our schedules so we have space for God’s divine detours? What might we need to do to get ahead so we won’t need to hesitate or scramble when opportunities arise?
Father, keep me prepared and in Your purpose always, so my here and there are with and for Thee.
As the rain and snow 