Acts 8:26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.”

It has been pointed out that Philip was in the middle of a revival in Samaria when this happened. Most evangelists/preachers would give a great deal to be able to participate in a true revival, but here, an angel tells Philip to leave. That he did so is evidence of his humble, obedient faith. We all need such a level of obedience! In this particular instance, the temptation not to obey was magnified by where he was told to go: “a desert place,” in other words, a place where nobody lived. Leaving an active revival to go where there was nobody? That took real courage and obedience, as well as complete assurance that the revival had nothing to do with him, but was all of the Lord. When the Lord uses us, we tend to think it’s because of us, when we are generally just incidental. Humility is essential! As it turned out, Philip’s obedience resulted in an Ethiopian body of believers that continues to this day, traditionally rooted in Solomon’s “gift” to the Queen of Sheba, as discussed in 1 Kings 10. Even today, Ethiopian Jews are acknowledged and significant. All that is to say that Philip got to participate in God’s plan, that he couldn’t have imagined on his own. God is of course still using people today, and if we want to be in that number, Philip is an excellent role model. Who knows? Maybe we too might get to experience the “Holy Spirit Express” that Philip did when he left the eunuch! (8:39-40)

This is very timely for me, because yesterday I was asked to be the interpreter for a seminar to be held in early December in a place I’ve never been. I was told that hotel accommodations can be a problem, so please make my reservation early, but I don’t know where it is! I sent a message this morning asking for clarification on that point, but this will be an adventure in any case. It remains to be seen whether I will be able to take public transportation or whether I will need to drive. I’m not to be uptight about it, because it’s God’s plan and not mine. There are also assorted other variables I will need to clarify, but again, God’s got it all worked out, so I just need to inquire as to His plans. This is all part of what He indicated to me some time back, that He would be moving me into a wider ministry, so I needed to have things settled here to operate in my absence. He has been doing that, too, so I have nothing to worry about. That’s easier to say than to operate on! I’ve been thinking about the hotel for the seminar ever since I woke up to go to the bathroom before 4! I am very aware that I need to keep growing, but God’s got that in hand as well, so as He told me years ago now, I just need to rest, relax, and rejoice in Him.

Father, thank You for this reminder. Thank You for all You are doing in and around me. May You be free to do through me all that You desire, so that the Body of Christ may be built up and Your name glorified. Thank You. Praise God!