“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ 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, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah. The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’
“Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.
“’How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
“This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading:
“’He was led like a sheep to the slaughter,
and as a lamb before its shearer is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.
In his humiliation he was deprived of justice.
Who can speak of his descendants?
For his life was taken from the earth.’
“The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
“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?’ And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing. Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.” Acts 8:26-40
One willing servant. One instruction. One obedience. One truth. One transformed life. Jesus who reigns over the high heavens and wide earth is intricately and intimately involved exactly where we are, and calls us to be present with Him. He nudged Philip to go south at His direction. He superintended the Ethiopian’s location and what he was reading. He blessed Philip’s openness with insight, and used this willing disciple to save the unnamed eunuch. And only God knows what multiplication of faith arose from there.
We make plans for our days while the Lord unfolds His heavenly plans along our path. We set about to do our work, turn here, go there, maybe make a difference, but God often confronts us with the unexpected so He can fulfill His divine intentions. How attuned are we to recognize and embrace the privilege of taking part? Would we rise above the pressing here and now to anticipate His presence among us, to hear His instructions and follow His lead? (Proverbs 16:9)
When do I take time to understand God’s place for me today, and whom might He have me serve? Where has difficulty driven me that I didn’t expect? What new opportunities has the Lord prepared for specific ministry? What evidence have I seen that He is actively working? (Acts 8:1,4-8)
Lord, compel me with Your gospel, and teach me immediate obedience that honors Your purposes.
As the rain and snow 