“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza’…When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing” Acts 8:26,39.
Every once in a while, a sudden change is interjected into our normal routine. What will we do with the change?
We had planned for most of the year to meet for three days as an extended family – our adult children with their children – 16 in all – on the west side of Kelowna, for a wonderful time of fun, swimming and cousin time. A few days before this was to happen in August, we received emails cancelling the whole thing because of the fires on that side of town. What to do?? After all was said and done, we made things work here in Chilliwack and had a fabulous time!
Every once in a while, a sudden change is interjected into our normal routine. Maybe an early buyout so we are now retired; perhaps a doctor’s visit where we find out our health is threatened; a change in a relationship or maybe to receive an inheritance. Changes can be positive or negative, but they put us into a new situation. What will we do with the change?
Last week I had the privilege of officiating Jeannette Scoular’s memorial – she and Jim have been part of our congregation for a long time. One of the things that struck me about her life was her adaptability. Jim worked in banking, so they were moved about regularly. Small towns at first and then to larger places and finally ending up in our city – all the while raising four children. Jeannette had gifts of administration and finance that she employed for the Lord wherever she found herself – she was adaptable and focused on the new opportunities rather than what she left behind.
This was the experience of Philip the evangelist. He was heading left and the Lord said, “I want you to go right.” And so, it was – he adapted to the change, and the Ethiopian was saved that day.
Alexander Graham Bell said: “When one door closes, another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.”
Is there change in your life? Could it be that it holds a new opportunity for you? What door might be opening?
Pastor Leon Throness
PS During the 24/7 prayer the church is going through from September 6-13, Encounter is opening the chapel for prayer from 9am to 4pm Tuesday, September 8th to Friday, September 11th. There will be multiple prayer stations that will speak to different aspects of prayer for the half hour you are there.
