A few years ago, we were on vacation in Atlanta. We were using our maps app to navigate, and

we ran into an issue getting to the aquarium. The app and the highway signs differed because

of a detour. My wife was driving and asked what to do. I said, “Right now we’ve just got to pick

something and follow it!”

Philip was one of the seven deacons chosen in Acts 6:5 to care for the church’s immediate

needs in Jerusalem as it continued to grow. Stephen was another one of those apostles. In Acts

8, Stephen had just been killed and everyone scattered. This story follows Philip as he meets a

man traveling:

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: “Get up and go south to the road that goes down

from Jerusalem to Gaza.” (This is the desert road.) So he got up and went. There was an

Ethiopian man, a eunuch and high official of Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, who was

in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to worship in Jerusalem and was sitting in

his chariot on his way home, reading the prophet Isaiah aloud. The Spirit told Philip, “Go

and join that chariot.” (Acts 8: 26-29)

Philip wasn’t sure where his next steps would lead. But he knew his ministry was his calling and

that God would lead him. What great faith!

We have many times in our life where we find ourselves lost. We may not always be physically

lost, but we are looking for where to go next. In those times, what we do next tells us (and

others) a lot about ourselves, our faith, and what matters to us. Do we pray? Do we read our

Bible? Do we minister to others? Do we reach out to others in the church? Do we reach out to

social media? Do we reach out to some other source of comfort?

What do you turn to when you need guidance? Where is your source of comfort or direction?

What would others say it is in your daily life?

By Jason Grace



Jason is a software engineering manager. He and his wife, Karen, have two children and have

been active members at Immanuel for over 22 years. His service includes roles in the deacon

ministry, children's ministry, technical team, financial coaching, and leading Bible studies. He

loves traveling with his wife and family throughout the US.