Scripture:

“Later God’s angel spoke to Philip: ‘At noon today I want you to walk over to that desolate road that goes from Jerusalem down to Gaza.’ He got up and went. He met an Ethiopian eunuch coming down the road. The eunuch had been on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem and was returning to Ethiopia, where he was minister in charge of all the finances of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. He was riding in a chariot and reading the prophet Isaiah.
 

The Spirit told Philip, ‘Climb into the chariot.’ Running up alongside, Philip heard the eunuch reading Isaiah and asked, ‘Do you understand what you’re reading?’
 

He answered, ‘How can I without some help?’ and invited Philip into the chariot with him.” Acts 8:26-31 (MSG)
 

Perspective:

Philip had been ministering to the people in Samaria when God directed him to change his location. People had experienced God’s healing power and heard the good news about Jesus. On the surface, it would seem best for Philip to stay where he was ministering. God not only asked Philip to change his location; He directed him to a desolate place. Why would one leave a fruitful work to travel where there weren’t any people? The timing seemed off, because people wouldn’t commonly be traveling in the hottest part of the day. Philip obeyed instead of asking questions. On the road where nobody should have been traveling, God set up a divine appointment for Philip. An Ethiopian eunuch just so happened to be traveling along that road at that exact time. This would have seemed like enough, but God asked Philip to partner with Him by stepping out and having a conversation. The Ethiopian eunuch would have been a high ranked official from Ethiopia, making it unlikely that he would speak with Philip. Yet, as Philip was willing to be sensitive to God’s Spirit and obey, the Ethiopian eunuch’s heart was open to the gospel, and his life was transformed. Imagine the impact of this individual’s life on the people in his country. Philip’s impact extended far beyond his moment of obedience.

 

You may feel as if you are traveling along a desolate road in your life. If you were to be honest, you would rather be anywhere but here. Yet, if God has directed you to travel down that road, then there is purpose in the path that you are walking. On the surface, it may seem that nothing good can come out of a desolate place, whether it is a personal health crisis, loss of a job, a relationship that has ended, or other life situation. Yet, God is able to use that which we see as a waste of time to change the lives of people around us. Unlike Philip, many of us would have talked ourselves out of obedience when God asked him to get in the chariot. We might have thought that surely God would send someone else with more impressive qualifications, earned degrees, or experience. Philip’s willingness to simply obey is a lesson for all. There may be someone who shows up in midst of your desolate place who needs something from the Lord. In our walk with God, it is important that we walk in obedience instead of trying to figure everything out. Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG) says, “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” When we walk in obedience and sensitivity to God’s leading, we will come to understand the purpose in our path, and our eyes will be opened to the people all around us that need His love. We will stay on the right path, and our impact will extend far beyond our moment of obedience.
 

Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002.  Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. 

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About Hona Amer

I help people live life to the fullest. Check out my book, Smart Work U. Follow me on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In order to receive updates, subscribe below.

 

 

 

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