Day 11: May 15

Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

You will remember this event as one of the dramatic conversion stories of the New Testament in which Philip is instructed by God to go down to a desert road and there overhears the Ethiopian Eunuch reading a text from Isaiah. Philip asks if he understands what he is reading. The Ethiopian says, “well how can I understand it without some help”. And so Philip climbs into the chariot with the Ethiopian and proceeds to tell him the story of Jesus. As they come to a body of water the Ethiopian asks if he can be baptized and they hop out, he is baptized and goes on his way with a new relationship with God.

It’s a pretty impressive story you have to admit. I mean who among us wouldn’t just love it if folks were just plopped into our laps with such ease and eagerness to hear the gospel story explained and respond so immediately? I’ve always liked this story.

There may be several things that we are able to glean from this story which would be helpful to us as we seek to reach out to folks in our own community.

Philip had to be listening to God in order to know where to go. The first step in mission, the first step in reaching out to others is developing a pattern of spiritual formation in our own life. We must have a daily practice of intentional time with God. Before we go and do, we must learn to simply BE – to sit in God’s presence and listen. Philip was able to here God speaking to him because he was intentionally listening.
Once he heard God speaking, Philip was obedient. He went even though he was told to go to a desert/desolate road; not exactly the most exciting place to be called to, not the most flashy, nor even the place which seemed to have the most potential. And even though it may not have made sense to Philip at the time, he went – he headed off to the desert road. He was obedient and he went trusting the future to God.
Once he arrived at his destination the first thing Philip did was to listen. This is such an important key to mission and disciple making. Don’t go blasting in with all the answers but simply listen, pay attention to what is happening, be willing to be a learner as you ascertain the lay of the land. Be willing to ask more questions than to give all the right answers.
Philip then climbs up into the chariot and sits side by side with the Ethiopian. But notice that it is the Ethiopian who “invited Philip to come up and sit with him.” It is only after being invited that Philip joins him. Being willing to sit side by side with someone who is very different from us will not always feel comfortable or easy. But being in relationship with people, getting to know them and being willing to climb into their space is key to being authentic and caring.
Once in the place of service, Philip let the Spirit take the lead. I like to imagine Philip’s startled reaction when the Ethiopian sees the water and asks if he could be baptized. Philip probably hadn’t planned on that. But we serve a God whose middle name is ‘Surprise!’ We can trust that God is moving and working in our world. God has been at work in the marvelous unfolding of the universe for some 14 billion years. God is faithful and can be trusted if we simply rest into that Presence which will show us the way through desolate roads, chaotic circumstances and numbing uncertainties.

Remember the story of Philip as you an individual and as a faith community seek to reach out in love and compassion to those in your community.

Prayer: Loving God, we thank you for your alluring Spirit which often calls us out of our comfort zone into relationships with those we least expect. Give us patience to know that the first act of obedience is developing habitual times with you, so that we may hear your call upon our life and move forward with boldness. Surprise us with your grace and use us in ways we never dreamed possible, in Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Rev. Dr. J. Denise Honeycutt
Director of Mission & Global Outreach