Tap, Tap, Tap

Dan Lovaglia, Camp Pastor, Camp Paradise | July 1, 2025

He said to them: “You are well aware that it is against our law for a Jew to associate with or visit a Gentile. But God has shown me that I should not call anyone impure or unclean. So when I was sent for, I came without raising any objection. May I ask why you sent for me?”

Cornelius answered: “Three days ago I was in my house praying at this hour, at three in the afternoon. Suddenly a man in shining clothes stood before me and said, ‘Cornelius, God has heard your prayer and remembered your gifts to the poor. Send to Joppa for Simon who is called Peter. He is a guest in the home of Simon the tanner, who lives by the sea.’ So I sent for you immediately, and it was good of you to come. Now we are all here in the presence of God to listen to everything the Lord has commanded you to tell us.”
Acts 10:28-33


When I need something, I usually send someone a text or an email first. But on a seemingly random day this spring, I decided to see if the person was in their office. I didn’t know if they would be there. I wasn’t even sure they could help. All I can say is that I felt nudged, prompted, maybe led, to get up out of my chair and go. So, I did. And low and behold, the person was there and available. And far beyond what I needed, they needed something from me that neither of us knew God wanted me to give that day. As soon as they started sharing about their daughter’s recent diagnosis, I knew He sent me there for a reason.

In Acts 10, it wasn’t coincidence that brought Peter and Cornelius together. God intersected these two by divine appointment, and this meet-up had global implications. The trajectory of Jesus’ followers, initially divided by Jewish or Gentile background, was about to change forever. The visions these individuals experienced came straight from God and were packed with risk. But they both responded to God’s tap on the shoulder by stepping out. It wasn’t the first time this happened in the Bible or the last time among devoted Christ-followers. Listening for God’s direction and doing whatever He asks unleashes the church, breaks boundaries, and opens doors for His kingdom purposes.

I’m still stunned whenever God taps me on the shoulder, whether the mission feels big or small. Would my colleague and friend have received support without me “randomly” showing up? Of course. But it’s far from coincidental that I have personal experience with almost exactly what this person’s daughter is going through. We talked. We prayed. And we’ve stayed connected about it since. I could have stayed safely behind my desk, but I’m grateful that the divine “tap, tap, tap” was too clear for me to ignore that day.

Next Steps

Have you ever experienced a “God moment” or “divine appointment”? If not, that’s okay. Let today’s devotion open your eyes and heart to being tapped on the shoulder for a spiritual purpose. Talk with God in prayer and a trusted friend about your desire, or hesitation, to notice and step out when God asks.