Answering The Call

Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Go south to the road--the desert road--that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake (which means "queen of the Ethiopians"). This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet. The Spirit told Philip, "Go to that chariot and stay near it."    (Acts 8:26-29, NIV)

I came to love this passage (actually all of Acts, but Acts 8 and 9 especially so) while serving the Lord through the Christian Motorcyclist Association (CMA). CMA members attend secular motorcycle events serving in various capacities. Some examples might be to provide first aide, motorcycle mechanics or detailing, helping with crowd control, setting up vendor booths at the beginning of a rally, and then taking them down at the end of the rally.

We established relationships through service. CMA is a national organization and chapters in New Jersey would help the same vendors who were just helped in Virginia by another CMA Chapter. One haggard motorcycle clothing vendor said to me at the Atco Drag Races in Berlin, NJ one late Sunday afternoon: "You know you guys are great! CMA helped me in California, Illinois, Virginia and now New Jersey. Thanks so much." My reply was "Our Lord called us to be here. We are glad to be in His service lending a hand where needed. Where are you headed now?" He said: "Mid-Ohio for a 4 day event. We setup Wednesday evening. Do you know anyone up there?" I replied: "Not personally, but I can assure you CMA will be there. I'll place a call to the chapter in the Mid-Ohio Track area and let him know you are on your way." I offered to send on his way with a "safe travels" prayer and he accepted.

Sometimes, the vendors or bikers we helped would open up and share their life's struggles. We would offer encouragement sometimes through prayer, or talk for a while and offer a Hope for the Highways Bible and guide them to some great passages, or arrange for counseling, but always by listening; I hear you brother. These were just encounters along a bleak and barren desert road. A road metaphorically similar to the road the Ethiopian traveled; a road used to search for answers.

Philip was at the right place and time through the work of the Holy Spirit. He listened to the Holy Spirit and acted. Additionally, he obviously knew the scriptures and their foretelling of the coming of the Messiah. He understood the passage the Ethiopian was reading aloud (Isaiah 53:7, 8) and how it applied to all mankind and was able to tell of the good news of Christ's resurrection. This was Philip's spiritual gift from God. However, Philip was probably not the only one helping the Ethiopian on his spiritual journey. Think of how the Ethiopian came to know of Judaism. How did he know where to go to worship and to try to find answers to the hard questions burning in his heart? Because Philip answered the call, the Ethiopian found the answer he was looking for and was ecstatic. Some scholars believe he spread the good news in Ethiopia.

The evangelistic model CMA follows is not restricted to bikers nor did CMA invent it. It is one of the ways in which the Holy Spirit works as shown here in the story of Philip and the Ethiopian. It applies to us all and in all walks of life. As members of the body of Christ, we can help individuals along their earthly or spiritual journey. Sometimes it means that we help someone out in need or do a kind deed. It may mean that you just listen to someone or cry with them. Listen to the Holy Spirit! Coming to the understanding that you are called by God, being used by God, for God's purpose is an awesome revelation and tremendously rewarding.

<Dear Lord,
   Thank you for sending your Holy Spirit and calling me into your service. Continue to use me as your instrument for your purpose. May all praise and glory be to you! I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Contributed by Richard
Sunday August 5, 2007
Liturgical Year C Week 36