Acts 10:24-33 NKJV

[24] And the following day, they entered Caesarea. Now Cornelius was waiting for them and had called together his relatives and close friends. [25] As Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped him. [26] But Peter lifted him up, saying, “Stand up; I myself am also a man.” [27] And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. [28] Then he said to them, “You know how unlawful it is for a Jewish man to keep company with or go to one of another nation. But God has shown me that I should not call any man common or unclean. [29] Therefore, I came without objection as soon as I was sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me?” [30] So Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, [31] and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard, and your alms are remembered in the sight of God. [32] Send, therefore, to Joppa and call Simon here, whose surname is Peter. He is lodging in the house of Simon, a tanner, by the sea. When he comes, he will speak to you.’ [33] So I sent to you immediately, and you have done well to come. Now, therefore, we are all present before God, to hear all the things commanded you by God.”

When I hear the word "testimony," my mind always defaults to a formal gathering where someone shares, from notes, details of their life. Maybe that comes from my experiences with Celebrate Recovery. Maybe I think this way because I was raised in church. I believe there is a great deal of value in sharing what God has done in our lives, but customs, rules, and traditions often inhibit the freedom of sharing God with people outside of a typical religious gathering.

If Peter had minded the Jewish law, he would have never darkened the door of Cornelius's home. It was forbidden by the Jewish religion and unacceptable according to cultural customs. Instead of being bound by past practice, Peter broke the mold with obedience. He did as God commanded and not as "his people" expected or required.

Being obedient to God's calling will take us places and introduces us to people we would otherwise never meet. Jesus didn't wait for the world to come to Him in the Synagogue. He went to the lost, the broken, and the hurting. He ministered with His presence. His love was felt, not merely heard.

“People will forget what you said. People will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” - Maya Angelou.