May 24, 2013: go Philip!

So, I'm sitting here reading about the apostle Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. The story is incredible for many reasons: 1) the Spirit told Philip to hang out by this particular chariot and he obeyed  which led to someone's salvation 2) Philip shared the good news about Jesus in a way that the eunuch could understand, so much so that as their chariot passed alongside a body of water the eunuch said "why should I wait to be baptized? Lets do this now!" 3) so that is what they did and when they came up out of the water Philip was just gone; the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away and the eunuch did not see him again. Poor eunuch, he was probably all excited like "Hi new Brother in Christ, what? Wait, let me get this water outta my eyes-okay, I guess I meant to say bye new brother in Christ???? What just happened- he was here-then he wasn't, I'm confused?! " But after this miraculous experience and learning he went away rejoicing.... 4) Um, then Philip just bam-appears at a totally new place...

Here's what I see in this story: a spirit-led man who is looking and listening for opportunities to tell the good news! And when he gets a chance, he doesn't share some watered down version of our need for Christ, he shares a message so convicting that the eunuch says, "This can't wait! I need to be baptized NOW!!!! Pull this chariot over!" See, almost every time an apostle teaches, it includes a desperate plea for repentance and that deals with our sins. Sin=death=hell. But then there's that good news part! Someone-Jesus took on all sin for us and then He defeated death. It's truly a beautiful exchange and something to exclaim, "pull this chariot over, Now!" about!!   Finally, I also see a God who is in the business of setting miracles into motion, He is still this same God, who can use Spirit-led Christians to encounter experiences outside the natural realm; the hold-up is and always has been, knowing that His Spirit is in you and not only listening for His still small voice, but ACTING on what He's calling you to do! Way to go Philip! You were genuinely about reaching others and not all about "your best life now."