Following Simple Directions

Scripture – Acts 8:26-31: ²⁶Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” ²⁷So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, ²⁸and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the book of Isaiah the prophet. ²⁹The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.” ³⁰Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. ³¹“How can I,” he said, “unless someone explains it to me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.

Reflection: – This is a snapshot of how evangelism works. It begins with a person who is open to the Spirit’s leading. Philip had an exciting and fruitful ministry in a Samaritan town. Then he had a clear message from the Lord to go to a specific road. That’s all he knew to do. And that’s what he did.

Most of the time, I want to know more. I want know here I’m going and what I’ll be doing once I get there.

Philip, however, didn’t need to know all that. He started out as God told him to. On the way he saw a person in a chariot reading from the Bible. Again, the Spirit directed him to simply go and stay near the chariot.

Once there he asked a simple question. This opened the door to conversation. Then the man invited Philip to come and sit with him. Philip didn’t push himself on the man. He made himself available, as the Spirit directed him, and he was ready when the man invited him into a deeper dialogue.

What opportunities will we encounter today to speak with people about spiritual matters? How can we open such conversations? How willing are we to follow up on them? How open am I to the simple directions of the Spirit?