Chasing Chariots
And the Spirit said to Philip, “Go up and join this chariot.” Acts 8:29
Have you ever been at your job. or at your desk at school. or doing chores at home, slugging through yet another day and found yourself thinking, “What real difference is my life making, anyway?”
It is very easy to fall into the rut where you draw your breath. and draw your salary. and go through the motions of life but lose the meaning and purpose of your existence on this earth. And what is that meaning and purpose? To chase chariots. Chasing chariots makes life EXCITING and brings GREAT JOY!
PHILIP’S CHARIOT STORY
Philip, a man full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom (Acts 6:3), was called of God to go to a desert road and join himself to a chariot that was traveling from Jerusalem to Ethiopia. Although it must have sounded like a strange request to Philip, he obeyed God and ended up leading a “big shot” (a court official and treasurer for the queen of Ethiopia), to faith in Jesus Christ. What a great story and a great lesson for you and me!
Why are we left here on this earth after receiving Christ as Savior and Lord? Why doesn’t God just take us to heaven immediately and deliver us from the sin, sickness, and depravity that surround us? We are left here to let our light shine for Christ and to tell others about Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life.” As the Bible says, “How shall they (lost people) hear without a preacher?” God wants that preacher to be you! It is amazing the difference you and I can make in the lives of hurting, hopeless people as we point them to Jesus through our life AND through our lips.
MY CHARIOT STORY
Just this week, I was eating at a restaurant. When the food came, I asked my waitress, a young woman in her twenties, if I could pray for anything in her life when I prayed over my lunch. Her answer floored me. She said, “Yes. Pray for me. Last summer I lost two children. My two year-old drowned, and a month later, my two month-old died of SIDS.” My heart broke as I saw the great hurt in her eyes.
While it may not have been appropriate in a restaurant setting, I got up and gave her a big hug. I prayed for her, gave her a 500% tip, and asked her to come by the church so we could talk with her. She came by the next day, and our women’s minister and I talked to her, cared for her, prayed for her and, best of all, led her to receive Jesus Christ as her personal Savior and Lord. It brings tears to my eyes to think how God used one simple question – “Is there anything I can pray about for you” – to make an eternal difference in her life.
Regardless of what challenges or difficulties I may have been facing this week, nothing could compare to the joy and excitement I felt knowing God used me to show His love and grace to a young lady who was really hurting and in need of Him.
THE BIG QUESTION?
Will you start chasing chariots for Christ? Will you let your light shine and your lips loose to share the good news of love, forgiveness and life in Jesus? There are opportunities all around us if we will pray and obey.
My friend, Dr. Paige Patterson of Southwestern Seminary, challenged our church to pray three things each day. I would like to challenge you to the same:
1. God give me an opportunity today to tell someone about Jesus.
2. God help me be aware of it when that opportunity comes.
3. God give me courage to open my mouth when that opportunity is before me.
My friend, I truly believe Jesus is coming very soon. May we be found faithful to the main assignment He gave us to d “Go and make disciples of all the nations.”
Jeff Schreve
Thank you for the encouragement, I really needed to be reminded of this most important mission here on earth to make disciples for Christ. May God continue to bless your ministry.
This is so powerful yet simple. It also encourages me to continue to do the same and to not lose sight of my purpose here on earth. This is such a confirmation for me because I feel that after much prayer and seeking His face, I’ve been led me to intercede in pray for others; which was prompted from our Sunday School study of “How to Become a Vessel that God Can Use”. Thanks so much for your testimony. God Bless!
Thank you so much for your timely answer . Iam really encouraged and most of my questions are answered . In my community people despise and discourage people to be pastors and even think that it is not a noble thing. I feel like going for door to door evangelism now!
God bless you.
This devotional is so good, and meaningful, that I am going to use it, along with the children’s song “This Little Light of Mine” and a challenge to the women’s group in our church to “go out and bring in the women who need to be in our group.”
Your point is well-taken and so valuable to us Christians. Thanks for an impacting message.
My wife and I try to ask every waiter/waitress; “We are going to thank God for our food. Is there anything you would like us to pray for?”
We have had some amazing times of fellowship with believers and some extremely heart wrenching stories as well.
One waitress answered yes and told us of her son who was a research scientist searching for a cure for a (specific) cancer. The difficult part of the story was that his family and health were suffering because he was so immersed in his work. It was clear to us she was suffering – yet, compassionate for her son who was giving his life for others.
Thanks for your story and keep chasing chariots!!!
God is love.