Scattered: Day 11
Over the next two days I’m going to be sharing from one of my favourite parts of Acts 8. Philip’s meeting with a stranger in the desert.
Obviously one of the quirky bits of this is the part where Philip disappears through the power of the Holy Spirit and appears somewhere else. I guess it’s a bit like being in the ejector seat, once it’s your time to leave, you are out of there. However I’m really sorry to say the art of teleportation isn’t the point I want to highlight today….or tomorrow, sorry.
Please read Acts 8:16-40 now.
What stands out instantly to me from this passage of scripture is Philip’s obedience to what God is asking him to do and over the next two days I want to look at the two questions God asks Philip and how he responds to it, so let’s go.
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…
Acts 8:26-27
Philip has enjoyed a successful time ministering in Samaria. Many people have believed and been baptised. Perhaps within such an environment of faith it would be easy for Philip to either take a step back, or get comfortable and complacent in all that he is seeing. However God doesn’t allow him much time for that, he is sent out almost instantly on another mission to the desert.
I don’t know if God has ever called you somewhere random, or worse than random, baron. That’s surely what the desert represents. It’s empty, the things that live there are all poisonous, nothing really grows and there sure ain’t much water. Yet none of these excuses are recorded in history as having been used by Philip. He just goes! God says it, he does it, someone’s life is changed.
Are we listening to all that God is saying or have we become too comfortable where we are?
If God asks us to do something, what is our honest response?
What is distracting us from hearing from God? I think the last thing is key. Philip was clearly so in tune with God’s voice. Many secondary things in life become priority. Can I encourage you to refocus this vision month, to re prioritise the call of God on your life, wherever he has placed you, it’s for a purpose. If he says go, please Go!
One final note on the desert. For some of you where you are feels almost as baron as the desert. Can I encourage you that there is both water and fruit in the desert. If God has led you this way, it is not by mistake, it’s not a shock to him to find you there, trust him, obey him and seek opportunities to display him to those around you.
Ps Ed Winbow
Location Pastor, Penrith