875: Go and . . . Stay Near

As we continue the "Go and . . ." series, we want to look at the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch:

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, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it" (Acts 8:26-29).

Here are some interesting things that stand out to me from this encounter.

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

1. The angel of the Lord and the Spirit spoke to Philip. This was not an extraordinary event, but seemed to be normal in the life of Philip. Is it normal in your life? If not, why not? Do you even believe this is possible or normal?
2. The Lord spoke to Philip regarding his purpose (evangelism) and not some random act of kindness. God will speak to you about your purpose as well. You should expect exceptional guidance where your purpose is concerned.
3. Philip received specific, detailed instructions about he was to do—what road he was to travel and who he was to meet.
4. Philip did not receive specific, detailed instructions about what he was to do once he got there. That only came once he obeyed and went. You may be waiting for information that is not forthcoming. God may direct you to go and you find out what you are to do once you arrive—not before.
5. Even once Philip obeyed and got hear the chariot, the Spirit did not tell him what to do. He had to come to his own conclusion that he was near so he could hear, and once he heard, he initiated contact with the eunuch. You may be waiting for specific instructions that will never come, for you are expected to use your brain and reasoning ability to deduce what God wants you to do.
6. Philip did not have to exert much energy to find the expression for his purpose, but he had to exert great energy to fulfill it. The Lord spoke to him—that was the easy part—but then he had to travel by foot to meet the eunuch. You will work in your purpose, but not to find your purpose. God wants you to know, but then God expects you to "walk" down the desert road He shows you and apply your creativity to what you see and hear.
   

We have looked in past Memos at how you will see things in your purpose that no one else sees. It is easy to assume everyone sees what you see, but they don't, because they aren't wired like you are. The same is true for what you hear. Others would have heard the eunuch and not known what to do, but Philip knew because it involved his purpose. It is similar to Nehemiah when he heard the report of how bad the conditions were in Jerusalem. Others heard the report, but only Nehemiah was moved to action. When you hear things that pertain to your purpose, you will be moved while others have no idea what's happening. If you expect them to move as you do, you will be disappointed or miss your opportunity to serve the Lord.

PERSONAL EXAMPLES

I can't say that God has spoken to me to write any of my books. I am a writer, I have ideas, so I conclude that I am to act on those ideas, without waiting for a sign from heaven. In fact, signs are for the unbelieving, not those who have faith: "A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah" (Matthew 16:4). The sign of Jonah was Jesus' resurrection and that certainly did not convince the unbelievers who were set against Jesus' and His ministry.

I have done a lot of work in Africa, but I cannot say God has always directed my work. He has directed me to go, and I find what I am to do once I obey and go. If I stay near to my friends there via social media and then personal visits, my days are full of purposeful activity that is fulfilling and joyful. What's more, I seldom leave Africa before I schedule my next visit. How do I know if I have chosen the right date to return? I don't, but I make my choice and count on God to show me if I am not supposed to go. In most cases, I end up returning on the dates I have chosen—in faith.

Where or to whom does God want you to go and stay near? You go in faith and only then will you know what else you are to do. When you hear it, you will know it, but you have to act with the same faith that caused you to obey and go in the first place. This should help you de-mystify the concept of obedience, for while the Lord may initiate your good deeds, you will have to decide when and how to fulfill them. Don't worry, God's not trying to trick you. He wants you to be fruitful, so you can go and do in the freedom you have in Christ. Have a blessed week!

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KENYA NEEDS: I am trusting the Lord for $400 this week to send to Kenya for the needs there. Last week, the $300 need was met—who can help me this week with this faith goal to help the poor? You can give through my website or by sending a check to PurposeQuest, PO Box 8882, Pittsburgh, PA 15221-0882. Thank you for your help.