Why might God send us into the wilderness?
In this week’s reading, it seems that Philip had been in the midst of Jesus’ followers, during a wonderful time of community in the early church. Sounds like something we might all enjoy. However, God’s Holy Spirit doesn’t always leave us in places of comfort. An angel of the Lord told Philip to leave what was comfortable and familiar and go down a desolate wilderness road. And he went.
Is it possible that, for Philip, leaving the familiar made him more open to welcoming the stranger? As he was going down the road, he met the Ethiopian eunuch, probably part of a whole entourage traveling along the road. There were probably a lot of things about the eunuch that seemed different and distant to Philip, but he still shared God’s good news with him and baptized him. The focus wasn’t on difference, but instead the focus was on God’s love.
Could it be that wilderness times in our lives give us the ability to see with God’s eyes? Is it possible that when we need others more deeply, we realize that we are all beloved by God? Is it possible that when we see our own need for God, we realize that God’s love is a gift for all?
May you know God’s love and share God’s love. And even when you don’t like the wilderness times and wouldn’t choose them, perhaps those times in your life will make you more open to see God’s love for all.
In Christ,
Pastor John
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