What If?

What if some of the lesser known characters in the book of Acts had walked away from what God was prompting them to do? What would the result have been? Would God have found a Plan B? Two particular heroes come to mind through this morning's study.

Philip was selected as a spiritual leader in the new Jesus community as the apostles were searching for servants (Acts 6). He turned out to have quite a global impact because of his willingness to follow Jesus. In Acts 8, we read that Philip took the gospel to Samaria (partial fulfillment of Acts 1:8), and the crowds responded to what the heard and saw (miracles). Clearly, Philip was walking in step with the Spirit, and people's lives were being changed through his witness.

Later in the same chapter, God tells Philip to go to a certain road (location), and it was on this road that he meets the Ethiopian eunuch. This Ethiopian was an important official in the Queen's court and a follower of God. Philip ran alongside the chariot and began asking questions. After being invited in, Philip explains to his new friend how Isaiah was speaking of Jesus. The result was a new follower of Jesus and baptism. Beyond this we don't hear of the Ethiopian again, but we can assume he took his new faith in Jesus with him to his home country (more fulfillment of Acts 1:8).

What if Philip had ignored God's voice? What if he had decided that the Ethiopian was too different from him and walked away? What we know is that Philip responded to God's voice in surrendered, obedient love.

Then there was Ananias in Acts 9. This chapter is famous because it describes Saul/Paul's radical conversion to Jesus. What often gets overlooked is that God used Ananias to lead Paul to become a follower of Jesus and to commission him for Jesus' mission. Ananias argued with God about this assignment, which was, after all, quite reasonable because of Saul's reputation for persecuting followers of Jesus. However, Ananias didn't let his fear get the best of him. In response to what Christ had done in him, Ananias surrendered himself in obedient love and became God's agent to bring transformation in the life of another.

It is beautiful to think about the fact that Paul wrote most of the New Testament as the apostle to the non-Jews. What if Ananias had told God "no"? What if he had let his fear get the best of him? Paul had already encountered Jesus, but he was blind and likely confused. God used Ananias to lead one of the most transformational leaders of all time to Jesus.

This thought causes me to reflect on how important the meetings we have are everyday and how life-changing our own responses to God can be in the lives of others. What about our children? What if God is planning to use one of my boys (or both) in history-making mission for the sake of Jesus' Kingdom? How should that affect my daily interactions with them? Help me Lord Jesus! Have Your way in me Holy Spirit! Teach me to hear Your voice more clearly Father! I am Yours.