GROWING SEEDS: When There's Water In The Desert

I always thought it was my job to be responsible for someone else's coming to Jesus.....their walk with the Lord....their very salvation.  But one day, a friend said these words to me: "It's not your job, Liz, to save people.  That's God's job.  Your job....if you choose to accept it (sounds a little like Mission Impossible, doesn't it??) is to be obedient.  Your job is to live out Christ daily to the people He places on your path."

It was like someone released every single ounce of anxiety I was carrying around inside of me.  Really?  It's not my job to save them?  Really?

I love the story of Philip and the Eunuch-dude.  Check it out at Acts 8:26-40.  Long story short, an angel came and told Philip to scoot on over to a road in the desert..  It's my understanding that Philip was quite happy where he was.....and heading to the desert wasn't exactly in his top 5 places to go.  But....without questioning, he packed up his stuff, buckled his sandals, and headed to the desert.

We are only called to OBEDIENCE, not to the creation of the moment.

Here's the short version:  While Philip was walking along the dusty desert road, a chariot passed him with the eunuch dude sitting reading the book of Isaiah, not understanding a word of what he was reading (sound familiar??).  The Holy Spirit said to Philip, "Go over and walk along beside the carriage." So Philip obediently did.  And as he ran beside the chariot not fully understanding why, he asks eunuch-dude if he understands what he's reading.  He says "No, how can I without someone to explain it to me?"  At this point Philip hops in the chariot and rides through the DESERT (important point here, folks) explaining the Good News about Jesus.  They then came to some WATER (pay attention...) and the eunuch asked Philip to baptize him...which he promptly did.

There's a lot happening in this awesome story.....but the thing that makes me smile the most is the connection between it being a DESERT and them coming to WATER to be baptized at just the right moment.  It's not like there's water on every street corner in the desert, friends.  God always provides.  It's not our job to save those around us.....but it IS our job to be obedient.  When we hear the still small voice telling us to go to the desert...or help that family down the street....or share your testimony with the person at the laundromat cause your washing machine crashed and burned, That - Is - Our - Job.

Be Present.....Be Obedient.....first and foremost with God, then in the precious lives of those around you.