Earlier this week I was at the local convenient store and waiting in line. I had noticed an elderly lady enter the building. She was carrying a map book. She looked around at everyone and chose to approach me. She asked me if I could help her and I said I would try. She said she thought she was lost. She wanted to know how to get to Newport. Well, I was relieved that that was all the directions she wanted. I could tell her that, but would be hard pressed for a lot of others. I told her that she was on the right highway and to just continue south for 8-10 miles and she would be in Newport. She thanked me and was on her way, much relieved I am sure.

I got to thinking about this later and realized that here was someone needing words to save them from being lost. How many times have we been in the same fix ourselves? We finally stop and ask someone for the words that will tell us where we need to go. Yes, I am a man and am just as guilty as any of being reluctant to do so. Nevertheless, there is a time when even the most stubborn of the male gender will ask for those words.

I thought about a case in the New Testament when someone needed words to direct him. Cornelius is the one. He sent for Peter (Acts 11:11-14). Peter was to tell him words that would save Cornelius and those of his household.

Cornelius is someone much to be admired. He was one who was trying to serve God (Acts 10:1-2, 22). An angel appeared and told him to "… send men to Joppa, and send for Simon whose surname is Peter. He is lodging with Simon, a tanner, whose house is by the sea. He will tell you what you must do" (Acts 10:5-6). Peter had words that Cornelius needed to hear. Cornelius was eager to hear them. He sent men to fetch Peter. Cornelius even gathered others in his house to hear what the words of Peter (Acts 10:24, 33). Cornelius deduced that if Peter’s words were this important, then others needed to hear them also.

I marvel at the good attitude of Cornelius. He was trying to do what was right and was willing to do what the angel said. Furthermore, he was willing to do what Peter said. Cornelius, and those with him, got to hear the gospel that day (Acts 10:34-43). Peter then commanded them to be baptized (Acts 10:47-48). It is inferred that Cornelius, and perhaps others of his company, had no problem doing this either. This type of attitude is commendable, but it is also an attitude that is rare. Too many times we want to be like those fellows who won’t ask for directions. We want to stumble around thinking we will eventually find our way. If we would just stop and ask for directions from God’s word we would have the words that would save us just as they did Cornelius and his household. ~Terry Sanders~