“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the
road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he
started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important
official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake…. This man had
gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his
chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. 29 The Spirit told
Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” 30 Then Philip ran up to
the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you
understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. 31 “How can I,” he said,
“unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and
sit with him. …34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, please, who is the
prophet talking about, himself or someone else?” 35 Then Philip began
with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about
Jesus. 36 As they traveled along the road, they came to some water and
the eunuch said, “Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my
being baptized?” 38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both
Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” Acts 8:26–38.
My early Christian walk was done alone, not being part of a
bible-believing community. I often visited a Christian coffee shop,
though never spoke to anyone. There were men who met there for lunch and
discuss their faith. I quietly prayed they’d ask me into their circle
but they never did, nor did I have the courage to approach them.
In today’s passage, the eunuch had a burning desire to understand scriptures, but no one to guide him. God sent Philip, who shared what he’d experienced.
I often wonder why God didn’t lift one of those men’s chins towards me and whisper, “Introduce yourself.” The answer could be that it wasn’t time, as I still needed to pass through a very dark storm in my life. Perhaps their perspectives and views weren’t compatible with what Jesus had planned for me, personally. Someday I’ll ask Him.
How long would the eunuch have traveled with his unanswered questions before he gave up asking? God’s timing is critical for our personal growth. Philip arrived when he was supposed to, with confidence and a desire to share what he learned.
When our moment comes, are we ready to answer someone’s questions? Are we open to hear the voice of the Spirit when He says to speak, or simply look up and notice someone alone at the next table? We’ve come out of an Easter where hundreds of new faces visited our church. Many have returned, and will return again.
Will those of us who’ve been on this road for a while approach their metaphorical carriages and introduce ourselves, and offer to answer their questions? Will those newly committed to a life of faith have the courage to approach a table full of strangers and introduce themselves?
Look around this week and weekend at the faces you do not know, and ask the Spirit to connect you with someone who can ask, or answer, alongside you.
Pray
Holy Father, continue to grow new relationships within our church family and beyond. Weave our lives together into a tapestry which honors You, where we walk the same roads together.
My early Christian walk was done alone, not being part of a
bible-believing community. I often visited a Christian coffee shop,
though never spoke to anyone. There were men who met there for lunch and
discuss their faith. I quietly prayed they’d ask me into their circle
but they never did, nor did I have the courage to approach them.In today’s passage, the eunuch had a burning desire to understand scriptures, but no one to guide him. God sent Philip, who shared what he’d experienced.
I often wonder why God didn’t lift one of those men’s chins towards me and whisper, “Introduce yourself.” The answer could be that it wasn’t time, as I still needed to pass through a very dark storm in my life. Perhaps their perspectives and views weren’t compatible with what Jesus had planned for me, personally. Someday I’ll ask Him.
How long would the eunuch have traveled with his unanswered questions before he gave up asking? God’s timing is critical for our personal growth. Philip arrived when he was supposed to, with confidence and a desire to share what he learned.
When our moment comes, are we ready to answer someone’s questions? Are we open to hear the voice of the Spirit when He says to speak, or simply look up and notice someone alone at the next table? We’ve come out of an Easter where hundreds of new faces visited our church. Many have returned, and will return again.
Will those of us who’ve been on this road for a while approach their metaphorical carriages and introduce ourselves, and offer to answer their questions? Will those newly committed to a life of faith have the courage to approach a table full of strangers and introduce themselves?
Look around this week and weekend at the faces you do not know, and ask the Spirit to connect you with someone who can ask, or answer, alongside you.
Pray
Holy Father, continue to grow new relationships within our church family and beyond. Weave our lives together into a tapestry which honors You, where we walk the same roads together.
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