I don’t love being stretched beyond where I’m comfortable. It’s painful and often hard, but also can be incredibly rewarding. As I was getting ready to teach at a conference last week, I ran across the story of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch out of Acts 8. It’s a powerful story of obedience. Philip was obedient to follow the instruction of the angel of the Lord to go to the desert, not knowing why he was being sent.
The Ethiopian man in this story was of a high class and served in the court of the Queen. He was riding in his chariot, reading out of Isaiah, and didn’t understand what he was reading. When he saw Philip coming, he asked for help and took the opportunity to learn and better understand the text he was studying.
The Spirit told Philip, “Go and join that chariot.” When Philip ran up to it, he heard him reading the prophet Isaiah, and said, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” “How can I,” he said, “unless someone guides me?” So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. Acts 8:29-31
Some people would look at this story as a great coincidence, but it’s evidence of the sovereignty of God. How often are there opportunities right in front of us to be used by God, but we miss the opportunity because it seems strange, weird, or out of the ordinary? It’s honestly so much more than a missed opportunity; it turns quickly into disobedience when we brush it off.
The Ethiopian man needed someone who would take time to explain what he was reading, and Philip was willing to answer his questions. Philip was able to share the gospel, the Ethiopian understood and believed, and then he was baptized because Philip was willing to be obedient.
God chooses to invite us into the story He is writing as an active participant. He wants to use us to minister to those around us and make His name famous wherever we go, but we have to be listening for His voice. So often, we’re waiting around for someone to come and be the answer to our prayers when we aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities God puts right in front of us to be His hands and feet to the people around us.
Sometimes God asks us to do things that are outside of our norms, but that’s often where He does His best work. Who does God keep bringing to mind as you’re studying Scripture? Who in your life needs to know the truth of the gospel? Which friend is God prompting you to have a gospel conversation with? Have you been hesitating? Let today be the day. Be obedient, even when it may seem weird, and let God do His work. Your obedience matters.
Mary Margaret Collingsworth serves as the Girls Ministry Specialist for Lifeway Christian Resources in Nashville, Tennessee, and has a Master of Arts in Christian Education from New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Mary Margaret has a passion to equip girls and women to dive deeply into God’s word and live out their calling. She also hosts Lifeway Women’s {MARKED} podcast. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram.