|
Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is a desert place. And he rose and went. And there was an Ethiopian, a eunuch, a court official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was in charge of all her treasure. He had come to Jerusalem to worship and was returning, seated in his chariot, and he was reading the prophet Isaiah. And the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and join this chariot." So Philip ran to him and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet and asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" And he said, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
Acts 8:26-31
Just a few weeks ago, shortly before Marshall was born, I took Vincent out for burgers and shakes. The waiter paused a moment and said, "this may be a weird question, but did you come in here in a Jedi robe once?" It was the same day I'd worn it to preach the message about Obi Wan and Gandalf calling Luke and Bilbo to their respective quests and Jesus calling the disciples, including Phillip.
Folks, that was 3 years ago. He didn't remember me and my face from wearing a funny outfit but because that day, an outfit I wore opened a conversation and we talked at length about church and faith and reaching people in meaningful ways.
The Spirit provides us daily opportunities to engage people in authentic and meaningful and memorable ways. Are we open? Do we respond like Phillip and ask for the stories of others and tell them our most important ones too?
Some of you must go to work and stores in the coming weeks. I hope your interactions will be brief and less close. Others of us will mostly interact by phone and conference calls. Those are still opportunities to reach people with love. They may be even greater opportunities because people are so starved for them. Look for a chance to listen and share. And then do that. Listen. Share. The Spirit is among us.
|
