Let’s Live A Surrendered Life Before The Lord
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means “queen of the Ethiopians”). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship.
Acts 8:26-27, NIV
Philip was in the middle of a successful work in Samaria when God asked Him to go to a desert road to share the gospel with an Ethiopian Eunuch. Before God’s sudden instruction, Phillip witnessed people receive healing, and they listened to his message. While he was in the middle of a revival, God asked him to go to a desert road. Imagine him trying to enjoy what God called him to do, and suddenly, He gave him a new instruction.
Honestly, if I were Philip, I would’ve complained or asked so many questions. But he did the exact opposite. Instead of asking God to stay in Samaria and continue to work there, Philip obeyed wholeheartedly. He left the place and followed what God called him to do. This is a very powerful reminder for us, especially when God suddenly gives us instructions that are somehow difficult to follow. May we have a heart like Philip that’s willing to obey God.
Aside from his obedient heart, it was also evident that Philip never really anchored his life to the ministry or tasks God provided him. Perhaps he focused on Jesus more than he focused on the efforts that he gave for the ministry. It wasn’t difficult for him to follow the leading of the Spirit because his identity was not anchored in what he was doing. Instead, he was fully dependent on God.
This reminds us to live a surrendered life before the Lord. It would be very hard for us to follow His ways if our identity is still anchored in what we are doing, and not in our Savior. It’s important to fix our eyes on Jesus. So that when He asks us to move forward, we will have an obedient heart to follow Him. At the end of the day, the reason why we are doing all the ministries is not about gaining honor or success, but it’s all about loving and following Jesus. It’s about building His kingdom and doing His will.
Prayer: Father God, thank you so much for giving me the chance to know and serve you. I pray that you will give me a humble heart that’s always willing to obey your will. May you shower my life with grace so that I may be able to serve you wherever you want me to. Thank you so much for your great love, Lord. Thank you so much for your favor. In Jesus’ Name, I pray, amen.
