The summit of Number 24 of the 48 “4,000 footers” in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. Mt. Lincoln | 5089′ (2016 with high school bestie, Amy)
While reading Acts 8:26-40 this morning, I did a double take.
In my last blog post I wrote about a wrought iron key that appeared in many of my photographs from my trip to England. I was amazed to discover this weathervane because a key played an important part in my novel, Jane’s Secret. The key that stands high above St. Michael and All Angels church most likely signified the verse from Matthew 16:19:
“I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven.”
Philip Simply Started
In the Book of Acts, Chapter 8, an angel appeared to Philip and delivered a message from the Lord. The angel told Philip which road to take. That’s it. No other instructions. It was a desert road that led out of Jerusalem and into Gaza. But Philip knew his mission. He’d been busy healing people, rebuking evil spirits in the name of Jesus Christ and sharing about the kingdom of God.
Throughout Scripture, we often see God using angels to deliver messages and direct His people. I wonder if Philip was surprised to see the angel. In much of Scripture, there is fear and trembling when an angel appears. None of that is mentioned in the NIV version of the Bible I am using. Instead, after Philip receives the message, he simply “starts out.”
What is God Asking You to Begin?
In my life, I have found it hard at first to change direction. There have been times when I needed to make a phone call that would lead to a new path of healing for myself or a family member. There have been times I was led to break off a relationship that proved itself unhealthy; beginning the difficult conversation in love took a lot of courage. Other times, I have needed to ask for forgiveness from a friend or family member, but getting the words out seemed a Herculean feat. Hiking to the summit of a 5,000-footer sometimes required conquering fear and the fortitude to push onward.
When I’ve done all my research and am ready to write the first paragraph of a new book, my fingers rest on the keys. I am afraid to type because I’m not always sure where I am headed with the story.
Philip’s simple response to the angel’s message shows us that God simply asks us to go. We can trust that He will handle the rest when our hearts and minds are aligned with His Holy Spirit.
Philip found an Ethiopian eunuch not far down the road. The eunuch was reading a passage of Scripture from the Old Testament book of Isaiah and needed help understanding it. I love that Philip climbed right up into the chariot and sat with him while they read.
It is awesome that the eunuch asked Philip for help, and Philip met him right where he was, answered his questions, and shared the good news about Jesus.
One of my favorite moments in the passage comes when the eunuch asks, “Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” and orders them to stop the chariot when they come to water. Philip was still riding along with him “down the road.” They hopped right out, and Philip baptized him. Up from the water came another follower of Jesus Christ, who went on his way with joy.
Trust the One Who Knows the End
It seems God rarely gives us the whole story, but He often does give us the next step. Philip didn’t know who he would meet on that desert road. In faith, he just “started out.” Do we ever know what will happen next in our own lives? I don’t. Let’s not let that stop us from responding in obedience.
Pray. Trust that the Holy Spirit is alive and active within you. Then take the first step, even if it leads down what at first appears to be a desert road.
Our omniscient God is faithful to guide us wherever he leads.
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Your post about Philip reminds me of short phrases used today, “Just do it!” and “Getter Done.” To this day, I kick myself for not talking to a friend about worshiping Jesus Christ instead of the Buddha in his tool shed to which he offered food that was dried up when I saw it. He died suddenly at 60 while doing a chore at his home. I could have helped open his eyes to the Savior, but I was embarrassed. His wife and I were best friends. She went to church – he didn’t; would I over-step my bounds in our relationship? But he may never have made it to heaven. I knew what to do and didn’t. We all need to be bold in the Spirit like Philip. Thanks for the reminder, Jennifer.