Act Now

I haven't written in a long time to just converse and share my thoughts and musings.

And usually once I haven't done something in a while, it's a long climb up to get started again (i.e. exercising). Obstacles get in the way and making excuses is so easy that for a minute complacency isn't too revolting. It's okay to let another day pass by, avoiding the task. Then the moment's gone, but the gut feeling that more can be done doesn't go away.

So sometimes you have to get up and do it. Like I'm doing now. I'm getting up and doing it (not exercising though, my mind isn't up to that challenge just yet).

I'm writing again, starting with this thought that I have mulled over for the past few weeks.

A while ago, I read Acts 8:26-40 about the apostle Philip.

He is minding his own business when all of the sudden, God calls out to him, saying (basically), "Go here."
And Philip goes. Philip doesn't ask any questions. He obeys and goes.

That for me, right there, is astounding. There's more to the story but Philip's blind faith truly astounds me. Yes, I know that God will never steer me wrong but if God told me to do anything or go anywhere, I would bombard Him with 21 questions. I would want to know the Who, What, When, Where, Why and How of a situation and I wouldn't budge until I got all the answers. I have to know everything, so I can build a simulation in my head, to see how everything will pan out.

But Philip just obeys after God offers him the Where of the whole equation. Philip didn't need the other 5 parts.

He goes.

Philip gets to the destination and God tells him to stand by a chariot with a man sitting inside. Philip obeys again and he overhears an Ethiopian man reading The Book of Isaiah. Then Philip takes over. God doesn't need to spell it out for him.

Philip asks the Ethiopian if he understood the passage and the man says no. So Philip offers his services and the man invites Philip inside his chariot. Philip shares with him the good news about Jesus during the course of the ride. A river comes up on the road and the Ethiopian man decides to get baptized. Once Philip completes the baptism, God whisks Philip away to another destination.

Do you see how amazing God is? (Don't worry it took a while for me to see the significance of this passage that I couldn't shake off for weeks).

He answered all the questions that Philip might have had (if he was me) through his obedience.

Who: Ethiopian man

What: Baptism

When: Now

Where: A dirt road between Jerusalem and Gaza

Why: To share the good news of Jesus Christ

How: A passage from Isaiah

Philip didn't freeze up and ask any questions. He followed His orders and did what he knew he could do. The lack of details didn't scare Philip, he went where he was supposed to go to, knowing that God had all the pieces. And God showed up with the answers, after Philip's obedience.

Sometimes it's as easy as that. Yes, all the uncertainties and lack of details are nerve-wrecking and destabilizing, but you have to trust that He will see you through, He will never leave you lacking. He knows what you need before you even know what you need. The river will show up once you make the first step, so make that move now.

And you have to do it now! If Philip paused for just a second, then he could have missed his chance in sharing the Good News with the Ethiopian. Don't drag your feet. Don't let your doubts stall you any longer. Move and believe that God is directing your steps. Because He is. He has you and all the answers to your questions in the palm of His hand.

Act now. If you're anything like me, I think you've been thinking about this a bit too long. Go ahead and make the move.