Running to the Chariot

We have been reading through Acts with our small group. It's been all kinds of fun to learn from the early church, from Luke, from each other, and from the inspiration of the Spirit. A couple of weeks ago we were in chapter 8. I've read this particular chapter many times in part because I like the story of Simon the Sorcerer. But it's always the story of Philip and the Ethiopian that grabs me, that draws me in, that challenges me. There are all kinds of great things in that story. But no matter how many times I read it, this moment is what sticks with me.

The Spirit told Philip, “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”    Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. “Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. (Acts 8:29, 30 NIV)

I think this moment pokes at me because it's an area where I consistently fail. I know when the Spirit speaks to me. God has never spoken audibly to me, but I've learned over the years how to recognize his voice and his nudges. Hearing his voice is almost never the problem. Acting on it is my challenge. Acting on it in the way that Philip did. That's what blows me away. He's walking down the road, sees a person with whom he has nothing in common but a desire to engage God through his word. This man is different from Philip in his country of origin, ethnicity, social status, tax bracket, and physical completeness. But notice what the Spirit says to him. "Go to that chariot and stay near it."

The prompting here is not to save the man. Not to convince him of anything. Philip is not asked to do anything but to put himself in the proximity of this man. And what does he do? He runs to the chariot. He doesn't walk. He doesn't make excuses. He doesn't hesitate. He doesn't explain to the Spirit why he can't, shouldn't or won't comply. He runs to the chariot.

I'm convinced that I'm not alone in this affliction. I'm convinced that I am not the only one who struggles to run into the unknown, the uncomfortable, the scary, and the dangerous. I'm convinced that this is our battle. If you have a relationship with Jesus, I would be willing to bet that you recognize the voice of the Spirit. The question is, are you going to run to the chariot or are you going to put your head down, pretend you don't see it, and make some pious, religious sounding reason why you can't or shouldn't.

Jesus, my prayer today is for the courage and strength and obedience to always run to the chariot. Today I make the choice anew to submit my life to you, to set aside my will and to embrace yours, to die to myself so that I can have true life through you. I know that I can run to the chariot no matter how scary it looks because you will be running right with me. Amen.