Peter, Cornelius and stepping out of our comfort zone

Acts 10 is fascinating to me for many reasons. But as I was reading
through it today something really struck me. How similar are Peter's
hangups regarding race, religion and culture to my own? I live in a
diverse neighborhood, a diverse city. How often do my preconceived
notions get in the way of fostering new relationships? How many
Cornelius' live on my street that I am hesitating to spend time with
because it's uncomfortable? The ESV states it this way: "What God has
made clean do not call common." In my own strength I say to myself that to be about God's work of redemption and restoration means getting dirty. It's never easy. Stuff will always come up. But God blatantly tells us that He's the one who got dirty. He's the one who's making things clean. Our job is to step out of our comfort zone and enter these relationships where we get to declare the gospel of Jesus Christ. My opinions are no longer an excuse for holding back. Am I willing to admit that we are all made in His image and set aside petty reasons for maintaining separate lives. I am thankful for the fact that God is constantly challenging my shallow thoughts with the truth of Himself, His work in us and His love for us.