“Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Go south to the road—the desert road—that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.” So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch.” (Acts 8:26-27 NIV)
Have you ever felt prompted to go up and speak to strangers? It’s one thing to go up to people with whom you have something in common, but it’s much harder to start conversations with those who are completely different than you. Unlike Philip, if I felt the nudge to go up and speak to an Ethiopian eunuch, I would most likely ignore it. I would tell myself: That can’t be from God! That’s crazy. God’s directions would make sense. It would align with my strengths and gifts. Wouldn’t it?
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:9 NIV )
What is the appropriate response to divine nudges? First, we acknowledge that God is in charge and we are not. This requires humility and surrender. Once we accept God’s will, obedience becomes a little easier. Our faithfulness cannot hinge on positive outcomes or validation. God’s plans may not always make sense to us. His directions may seem counterintuitive and counter culture. Yet His thoughts and ways are better than ours.
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