| I am reading through the book of Acts in my reading plan, and I’ve always found the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch interesting.
Philip was just minding his own business when an Angel appears and told him to travel to a particular area down a specific road. Without hesitation, Philip was just like, “Sure, no problem.”
Then, as he was on that road, he saw a man on a chariot reading a scroll. Then the Spirit (which was still very new to followers of Christ) prompted Philip to join the man on his chariot. A few minutes later, Philip shares the gospel and boom! The Ethiopian man believes and wants to get baptized there and then.
Philip is so in tune with God and His Spirit that he immediately obeys when he hears the Spirit speaking to him.
However, when I read this story, I often wonder how many times I get prompting like this from the Holy Spirit. A prompting that is distinctive and precise.
The more I think about it, the more I worry because what if it’s all the time?! And what if I’ve taught myself to ignore it?! Or maybe I decide that it’s just another random thought in my head, so I don’t pay attention?!
However, in the book of Acts, there is story after story that tells the same thing; the Spirit prompts, the characters respond. This encourages me. If these ordinary men just respond to prompting by the Spirit, then I can do it too! All I need to do is learn to tune in.
Parents can hear their child’s voice in a crowd. People can recognize their best friend’s voice on the phone. I need to continue to practice and tune my listening to hear the Holy Spirit’s voice so that when I’m prompted to do something, I will have no doubt where it is coming from. |
