3RD WEEK OF EASTER

Look, there is water. What is to prevent my being baptized? 

Philip might have been worried. An angel from God told him to approach the chariot of a powerful foreign official and to begin evangelizing him. But how would Philip cut through the cultural barriers? How would he come up with an effective presentation of the gospel? Wasn’t God asking too much of him this time?

As it turned out, God had already laid a lot of the groundwork for Philip. The official was already puzzling over God’s word when Philip approached him. He was sincerely asking questions and was eager to hear what Philip had to say.

So it wasn’t only about what Philip had to do, after all! He just had to walk through a door that was already three-quarters of the way open. What a relief that must have been! God had taken great pains to prepare this man to receive his message even before the messenger showed up!

We may feel intimidated about sharing our faith because we think we are responsible for everything that happens afterward. We worry about how to break through obstinate hearts, how to overcome years of believing a false gospel, or how to answer every possible question anyone could think of. But that’s placing too much of the emphasis on us and forgetting how deeply God longs to touch each person with his love. The truth is, we aren’t meant to carry the load alone. God is already doing a lot of the prep work.

You will likely have a chance to witness to your faith today. Maybe the Spirit will bring to mind a relative with whom you have not been on the best of terms and lead you to seek reconciliation. You may run into an old friend who needs a word of encouragement or a neighbor who could use a helping hand. The Holy Spirit could nudge you to say something to the person next to you on the bus. Seize the opportunity to reach out. You may be surprised at how God has already opened a door for you so that your words and actions touch and change people’s hearts!

“Lord, open my eyes to the opportunities you will give me to share your good news today!”

Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 66:8-9, 16-17, 20
John 6:44-51