Have you ever felt it is difficult to make decisions in your life and ministry? Maybe there are two or three different routes in front of us. We want to go to the right but we have doubts; if we go to left, we are also not sure because both ways seem good. From those doubts, we analyze which one is most beneficial in our situation – especially if those decisions involve our future. Without the direction from the Lord, our human way of thinking will dominate every decision we make.
There is someone we ought to follow as example from the time of the first churches. His name is Philip; he was always led by the Holy Spirit. One day, the Holy Spirit was with Philip. “Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, “Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” This is desert” (Acts 8:26). Philip’s presence as a spiritual leader at that town was very much needed. He was someone who taught new believers to live righteous before the Lord. But, the Holy Spirit directed him to another place and even then, Philip obeyed.
While Philip walked in the desert, an eunuch from the Ethiopian kingdom was passing by. He was Jewish. At that time, he was reading the book of Isaiah and was confused because he did not understand. The Spirit told Philip: “Go to that chariot and stay near it” (Acts 8:29). Philip was once again directed by the Spirit to go near the eunuch and ultimately shared that Jesus is the Messiah. The eunuch ended up believing in the Lord and was baptized. According to history, he was the one who brought the Lord’s teaching to Ethiopia and many people became believers and were obedient with the Spirit’s guidance– how amazing is the impact.
Philip’s obedience over the Holy Spirit is amazing. Philip did not question if the town he was to visit is crowded or not, nor did he question other factors. When the Spirit tells him, he obeyed. After ministering the eunuch from Ethiopia, he was told by the Spirit to go somewhere else. The Spirit led Philip according to its purpose and agenda. “Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and traveled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea” (Acts 8:40). Philip was in Azotus and there he shared the gospel; and the anointing of the Holy Spirit reached Caesarea.
Philip was someone who was guided by the Spirit for the purpose of the Kingdom of Heaven. His life story was written not only to be read and praised, but it is an example of how the Lord wants his disciples across the world and in the history to be willing to be led by the Holy Spirit so that we can become effective tools for His kingdom.
This is also an example of how those who are willing to be led by the Spirit can be a great blessing for many people. The key of Philip’s life is willingness to be led and obedience. We can also be used by the Lord the same way: willing to be led in making decisions in life. Decisions that come from obeying the Holy Spirit will become testimonies for many. Amen.
Source: GBI Gatot Subroto, Jakarta