I’m fascinated by the story about Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:26-40). An angel directed Philip to a certain road and chariot (that was passing by). One of the Ethiopian Queen’s court officials was in the chariot. He had returned from worship in Jerusalem. While he rode, he read the scroll of Isaiah out loud.
Philip ran to him and asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The official replied, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” He invited Philip to sit with him. Philip then explained the Good News of Jesus Christ. The official saw some water and wanted to get baptized. As soon as Philip baptized him, the Bible tells us, “the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.”
No part of that story was a coincidence. Every part was absolutely planned out by our Sovereign God. Philip didn’t “happen to be there” when the chariot passed by. The eunuch didn’t “happen to be” reading Isaiah out loud. It was all orchestrated by the hand of an all-powerful and all-knowing God. Our God!
The Same God
The same God who put Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in the right place at the right time, put you right where you are now — for a reason. In Acts 17:26, we read “that God has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings,” (NKJV).
Your family, job, friends, neighbors and classmates — all of your relationships, were orchestrated by God. He has them right here, right now. By all means, we should live our lives according to what God has called us to do. This will certainly look different in each of our lives. However, He has called all Christians to love one another and make disciples.
Let’s love the people God has put us with. Additionally, let’s make disciples by looking for opportunities (like Philip) to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with people God has perfectly orchestrated to be in our lives.
Also, if you want to find out what happened to Philip, you can read about it in Acts, Chapter 8. 🙂
Strategically placed in your life by God,
Billy
Posted in A Word from the Pastor