Watching for a Thirsty One!

Read: Acts 8:26-40

Recently, I heard a man who was speaking about how we can encounter someone each day who is open to hearing about Jesus. He had a way to pray that he said would bring about that result. I am thankful for each encounter he has had. They are gifts from God; however, he then said that a day without experiencing this should be considered to have been a failure. Oh my. My spirit slumped because according to that gentleman's assessment, I have had innumerable days that he would consider to be failing days, and maybe others have found themselves in this same boat. Wanting to speak about Jesus but not finding that there is a way to guarantee a daily or even weekly encounter; so, let's think biblically and be encouraged. No, I'm not saying that his way of evangelizing doesn't work for him; instead, let's look at Paul's words to the Corinthians to be encouraged by what God has to say.

In 1 Corinthians 4:2, we are reminded that we are stewards. God has given us, each of His children, a trust to care for. We have time, treasure and talents that are gifts from our Father, and what does He want us to do with them? Whether the storehouse the Lord has entrusted to us appears to be small or large, our assignment is the same.

We are to be faithful to use what He has given us. He does not demand results. He never gave us a quota of how many people we must lead into a relationship with Jesus.

So, what does faithfulness look like on a Monday afternoon or a Wednesday morning? We abide, John 15:1-7. We stay close to Jesus so that we can obey His nudges and hear the Holy Spirit's directing. Fruitfulness and Faithfulness spring up out of abiding because we come to know the Savior and rely on Him to discern what He wants us to do. Then, whether He nudges us to plant a seed or water it, we can do so because we are filled up and available. Whether that occurs daily or not isn't the issue. It is faithfulness. Perhaps an everyday example that I heard years ago could be encouraging.

Picture a water faucet like the one in the kitchen. It is there to turn on and use to fill up the coffee maker, and it is also there to wash our hands. We don't use it every hour of the day, but it is ready to go when needed. Available. If I don't turn it on for hours because I haven't needed to use it, it hasn't failed me.

I like that picture because it takes the emphasis off us and places our fruitfulness upon the Lord. Let's look at today's scripture reading from Acts 8:26-40 to see the sweetness of availability and the fruitfulness that God alone produced as a result of Philip's faithfulness.

Philip had been active in a great move of God. Lots of lives had been affected when all of a sudden, the Holy Spirit changed Philip's plans. He was to travel on the desert road toward Gaza. No more intel was given to Philip, but he faithfully went. The next thing we know is that Philip saw a chariot. We know that riding in this conveyance was an important official of Queen Candace of Ethiopia, and imagine it! He was reading a scripture passage from Isaiah out loud. The Lord wanted Philip to come alongside. Timing that only God could oversee! Philip was both obedient and available, and he reached out with a question. Did the man understand what he was reading? Philip was faithful to meet him where he was. How beautiful to hear the man's welcoming response. He needed someone to teach him, and Philip was available. He needed to know whether the passage he was reading spoke of Isaiah's suffering or someone else's. Once again, Philip met him right where his question was. He was there to quench the thirst of one who truly was thirsty. I love the fact that the evangelist didn't have to force the man to drink. He was ready, by God's Providence to receive Jesus, the Living Water, John 4:13-14.

Several weeks ago, I heard a sound. Was that the hose running just a bit? It appeared to be coming from outside. When I went to check it out, I had left the faucet slightly open. No river was flowing, but I had watered the cement. I wonder how many times I have done that same thing by not waiting for God to provide a thirsty one and simply allowed the water to fall on a "cement heart" that Jesus had not yet softened.

Lord, please lead us to thirsty ones. We are available to share Your Living Water as You direct and enable. Thank You for the ones whom You sent to us that told us about You and quenched our thirsts.