Are You a Guide?

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and join this chariot.” So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” And he said, “How can I, unless someone guides me?” And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31 ESV).

 

As I sit in my home study and reflect over the events of this year, especially in the last week, I cannot help but wonder how we got here. In my seven decades of life I’ve seen and experienced a vast number of life-changing events. Some were very personal; others were communal affecting both our nation and world. Some were difficult and others easily navigated. All of them were designed by our heavenly Father to produce good in our lives (cf. Romans 8:28). It may sound like I am releasing us from any responsibility in the ultimate provision of that good. Nothing could be further from the truth.

 

Our reading today illustrates our responsibility. The Ethiopian of the story was a prominent official with charge over his queen’s treasury. He was also a follower of God returning from Jerusalem, where he had gone to worship. During the long chariot ride home he occupied himself by reading from the book of Isaiah. As the man struggled to understand what it all meant, God connected him with Philip. God used an angel to direct Philip to the desert road heading south, urging him to approach the Ethiopian official. As Philip heard the man reading, he asked a loving question: “Do you understand what you are reading?” From there Philip was able to guide the Ethiopian to an understanding that would bring hope, peace, and power to him.

 

Because Philip sensitive to follow God’s leading, he was given the opportunity to see God’s transformative power in the life of this man from a ­foreign land. I must question myself when faced with such an example. I wonder if I would have asked such a question of a stranger? I wonder if I would have engaged a man so different than I in any dialogue? I wonder if I would have listened to the tender need of the man’s quest to simply understand? I wonder if I would have been more intent on winning my point of view, or guiding the man to the only Source of life’s answers? I know what God wants me to do. He wants me to leave a trail of footprints for others to follow to Him!