Tucked neatly in the closing verses of Acts 8 is a compelling and beautiful story. A gem, hidden between Stephen, the first biblical martyr, and the conversion of Saul.
It’s the story of the Apostle Philip and a dark-skinned Gentile from Ethiopia. A nameless lost soul, on a journey home… with questions to be answered. Biblical questions. Life-altering questions.
Then Philip, a man compelled and obedient. A listener. His ears tuned to the voice of an angel. His heart courageously anchored on the call of God. His hope rooted in the sacrifice and victory of Jesus. And his power fueled by the Holy Spirit.
“Get up and Go”… the angel said.
To a sovereignly-orchestrated moment. To a cosmic intersection. To a stranger. To an alien image bearer of God. An Ethiopian.
The interaction is rich and deep. The soul-wrought questions. The inspired answers. The Spirit moves and transformation occurs. Then water. Then baptism.
And as Philip and his baptized brother emerge from the water… Philip is gone. Miraculously. Unexpectedly. Gone. “Carried away”.
We are left with the image. A parked chariot. A wet convert. A heart overflowing. And the lingering impact of a vanished saint.
While Philip is gone from the scene… his words, his compassion, his obedience to God, his wisdom, his courage, his love for his Savior and his brother linger. A fragrance of hope. The aroma of life.
A journey transformed. A life redeemed.
On Friday, April 23, 2021… Christy Currie was “carried away”. Like Philip, she answered the call of God. She went where He told her to go.
Her words were saturated with grace and truth, and propelled by love. Her Savior compelled, and she obeyed.
To any chariot. To every person.
Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus. (Acts 8:35)
The good news.
Then Christy opened her mouth, and always pointing to Scripture, she told them the good news about Jesus.
Philip. The conduit through which the message of Jesus flowed.
Christy. In like manner.
Then, what likely felt premature to the Ethiopian, Philip was gone.
Then, what feels premature to so many of us, Christy is gone.
Philip and Christy.
Relocated.
Alive in Christ.
A life devoted to Jesus lingers. Even after the voice is gone, the words ring true. Permanently.
A life that lingers.
Relocated, but lasting.
Acts 8 continued. In Christine C. Currie… in us.
To any chariot. To every person.
Charles Spurgeon got it right… “Carve your name on hearts, not on marble.”
Well done, Sweet Sister. Well done.
{ 0 comments }
