Day 11
Monday, January 24th
One of the things I’ve realised on my journey with God is that there isn’t ever a specific end game as far as our journey with God goes; there is always more. Sure, there is Heaven and eternity with God. Outside of that, the goal of life is a relationship with Jesus, and to grow in that and be guided by Him but as far as what makes up that journey and how it looks, that is likely to keep being moulded and shaped, continuously. There are seasons, there are people, situations, places and more personal even that that, there are thoughts and feelings. All these factors change.
God often tells us so much at a time, probably as much as we can cope with then invites us to go on the journey of more.
Philip in the book of Acts has this encounter with an Ethiopian eunuch, a high ranking official to the Ethiopian Queen.
Acts 8:26
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”
Firstly he is directed to set off on a journey. He wasn’t specifically told why, he was just told to go. Philip obeys the angel and goes.
Often God will simply tell us to go. He doesn’t reveal all the plans at once, He asks us to go and then to trust Him for more.
Acts 8:27-28
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 (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
On his journey he comes across this stranger. Because of his obedience to God’s go he was positioned for more. We know at this point, the stranger is sat in His royal chariot reading the book of Isaiah. Philip at this point isn’t completely sure this is who he has to meet with but the Holy Spirit soon makes it clear.
Acts 8:29-31
The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “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.
Then the Holy Spirit directs Philip to go to the chariot and stay near it. He doesn’t give him anything more specific but once again through Philip’s obedience it opens the door for an incredible conversation with this stranger and ends with Philip baptising Him on the side of the road.
I think what stands out to me above all else from this passage is simply that obedience positions you for more. When we are in tune with God’s Spirit, when we are listening and seeking his leading in our life, it opens a door for God to do the extraordinary through us.
All significant outcomes happen from listening to the Holy Spirit.
What is Holy Spirit promoting you to do today?
What do you need to be obedient to in order to unlock more?
Ed Winbow
Location Pastor, Penrith