Talked about Philip today. He traveled several times in Acts 8. The first time was north out of Jerusalem to Samaria. He started preaching there, and the result changed the city to one filled with joy. People getting right with God can get that way. You could say the trip was very successful.
It was not really Philip's idea to go to Samaria. It seems he went because persecution started in Jerusalem. Persecution is not what we hope for, but in this case it led to the spread of the gospel, and great joy in another city. The persecution intended to shut down the church actually spread it.
In the middle of great success in Samaria, Philip heard from God that he should leave, and head back south, past Jerusalem out the desert road toward Gaza. How inefficient does that sound? Why should he leave what he was in the middle of doing in Samaria, to stand by a desert road? He did, because he heard from God. Then there was this one man who came by... and was saved and baptized.
Then Philip disappeared. The Holy Spirit teleported him from one place to another. Philip did not plan on going to where he ended up, but (poof!) he was there. He kept on doing what he had been doing. He preached the gospel, and people responded. Working his way through several towns, he settled in Caesarea. He is mentioned again in Acts 21, as "Philip the evangelist" living in Caesarea.
We may be moved from one place or position to another at times, in God's plan. If were to choose, I think I would like to try out the Holy Spirit teleportation thing. I have not had that choice so far. If not that, then the best I can do is pay attention to His Spirit and go when He says to.
There may be times when I find myself in places I had no plan or expectation to be. If so, perhaps the best I can do then is to continue what I had been doing before, in God's plan.
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