Back when the church first began, you traveled to Jerusalem to worship. It’s described that your way back home to your Queen and her treasure is a desert road. I imagine your chariot like my car pulled off on the side. Maybe a break to find a little drink. Maybe you say “I can go no further. What is it I’m missing?” You send your questions up, “Who is this humiliated man I’m reading about here? Why is he led to slaughter?”
Far away, right about the time that Stephen is stoned and hearts feel like desert-places, God speaks to Philip, “Go way out of your way for me. Go way into the desert.” And the Spirit comes to you there by whispering to Philip as you read in Isaiah. Is he weary, I wonder, until you remind him to speak in scarlet, the story of Jesus?
It must have been so good. Oh I know it was, having been to the desert myself. Deserts make the water so good. When you and Philip see the water and you ask what prevents you from being baptized, and then you get in? What thrills me is that Phillip gets in, too. He gets right in with you – brothers, covered. Did Phillip wonder who was baptizing who?
And like elation from a deep breath, he evaporates, disappears. And your joy, the way you went on rejoicing, as in, you never stopped with it? That part makes me want to sing without care, arms straight up.
It’s been 2,000 years, and today Ethiopian men, women, and children are worshipping, all woven with scarlet thread, that joy you brought with the Great Commission. A cancelled adoption process led my husband there to witness it, gospel, a journey to learn how to serve, without bringing home a daughter, one of those desert road experiences that leads to the water.
God’s glory is for All. My firstborn asked me to read about it to him, Acts chapter 8, and as I did just 3 months ago, tears filled his eyes, and he spoke your exact words, “What prevents me from being baptized?”
And so he was – on a beautiful Sunday morning in Arkansas, USA. Desert roads up ahead, we read the story – we become the story – and we go on rejoicing.
photo credit
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Here I’ve poured out my gratitude for a man who has changed my life, the Ethiopian Eunuch. Let it be that we are not only quick to make requests, but that we are also quick to praise. I praise God for the role of the Ethiopian church in my life, as a part of this global and beautiful body. I praise God, too, for the desert places.
Now your turn! Let us know how God has answered your prayers. Praise Him from whom all blessings flow.
Charina @ Pondered Thoughts says
Amber, what a beautiful post! Thank you.
God answers prayers in ways that sometimes we don’t understand or ways that are unexpected. Our God have been gracious and good with us. Yes we are still struglling financially (lay off issues) but Him blessing me with the gift of trust, assurance and peace that I can only find in Him…….
Yes, praise Him from whom all blessings flow!
All good things,
Charina
Amber Haines says
When God changes my heart, that always seems the biggest miracle. Thank you of sharing, Charina.
Sarah says
I love the comments on Philip in this post – how he must have felt after Stephen’s stoning and how the experience with the Ethiopian must have seemed greater because of that. Never thought of it from Philip’s point-of-view before!
Amber Haines says
I love how God’s glory is for the whole – the whole of Philip and the whole of Ethiopia, the whole of me.
Thanks for visiting here today, Sarah.
Larissa S says
Here is a very specific answered prayer…and I could share more, but this is the most recent one.
I am a teacher in a urban middle school and I have been discouraged as of late, feeling as if I can never do enough to be prepared, be the best teacher for my students, plan the best lessons, do enough to keep my job. It is sometimes hard to tell from the administration where I stand, and I just kept crying out to God to send me some encouragement so that I would feel so discouraged.
The end of the week last week, my principal called me into the office, (this of course had me freaking out inside…because it isn’t ever a good sign to be called into the office.) But it turned out to be a good thing…he shared with me a letter he had written to nominate me as a the certified employee of the month for our district!! I was floored, and about cried.
God listened and as much as I know that my security and true encouragement comes from Him, it is still nice to be affirmed by my bosses.
So for anyone that needs encouragement, cry out to Him….he will hear you! It may not come as you expect, but God listens.
Larissa
Amber Haines says
I love this Larissa! Thank you for sharing.
And I must say that I’m a little sad that going to the principal’s office is still scary when you’re a grown up!
God has this special way of loving like a good daddy, huh?
Diane Bailey says
Amber I new I liked you, the I saw you are from Alabama! That sealed the deal, Susta! I love how you had your husband Love Ethiopia. Its the kind of love that is contagious!
Amber Haines says
Thank you, Diane, and if you’re from Alabama, too, then sustas indeed. 🙂
Michelle Franklin says
I rarely comment on blog posts but this has touched my heart. I had an answer to prayer that was not the answer I wanted.
My husband was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder after we had already been married for 5 yrs. and had 2 small children. As I educated myself on the disorder I realized that one of my children may have the same diagnoses one day. I prayed against this happening and also asked my mentor to pray with me against this.
Fast forward about ten years and my normally compliant, loving son was behaving very erratically and having emotional breakdowns. This began a roller coaster ride which led to my worst nightmare. In spite of my prayers and close attention, my son was diagnosed with adolescent onset Bipolar. I can not even begin to explain to you the pain that we experienced over the course of the next year.
My husband was suicidal twice and needed emergency psychiatric treatment and my teenaged daughter has experienced bouts with depression due to the chaos and crisis situations that ensued.
I have leaned on the Lord and kept the faith and been prayerful. Many people have prayed for my family and now everyone is stable and my son is back to his loveable affectionate self. He has turned back to the Lord and now has his own faith. He is 14 and I am pleased to tell you that even though things haven’t turned out the way I would have planned we are okay.
Seth was baptized in the lake at camp last summer, which was evidence of an answer to all of the prayers that went up on his behalf for the previous months since his diagnoses. We have a strong support system and are blessed beyond measure.
Sorry for the long comment, I just felt moved to share.
Michelle
Amber Haines says
Michelle, oh my goodness. I love this so much. I just feel so honored that you share it here. It blows my mind that some of the darkest places can turn out so much LIGHT!
God will reflect from your Seth, Michelle. His arm is plenty long enough for that.
THank you for this.
Darcy @ Message in a Mason Jar says
I’ve always loved that story…out of the ruckus of miracles and persecution, this quiet moment of a man reading and ready, a reminder that God will not leave the seeker without a guide. Just this morning, we gathered around a beloved couple, Eritrean refugees, as they dedicated their firstborn. Ethiopia is dear to me, a part of my own salvation story, and lately thoughts and words (almost ready for the pen and keyboard) have been swirling around in my head like Philip whisked away by the Spirit. Thanks for this post today. I’m eager to read more of how God is using Ethiopia in the life of your family. 🙂
Amber Haines says
I love this, Darcy. WEll, and I’m eager to know how God is using Ethiopia in our lives, too. Right now, it’s so much that we’re barely seeing straight. But we know that God is good and big, and we know that the Ethiopian church is beautiful.
I would love to know how Ethiopia is part of your salvation story.
Beth Williams says
My answered prayer came almost 9 yrs. ago. I was praying for a husband who would love me, my family and be there for me when my parents health failed. He answered in a big big way.
I have the most wonderful, understanding hubby one could ask for. He was there for me and my parents when mom had dementia was hospitalized 1.5 months, for something unrelated, and the dementia turned into sundowners. It reached the point she was pretty much bed ridden. Dad took care of her the best he could. Thanks to my hubby I was able to be there for them and assist them.
I praise God that he finally took mom home with Him so her suffering could finally end.
Thanks for a thoughtful post!
Amber Haines says
He gives and takes away. Blessed be His name.
It amazes me how sometimes he chooses to follow through for us in a man.
heidi says
My prayer was answered not by a change in external circumstances, but by a miraculous shift in my attitude and perspective. It was nothing short of an epiphany and it changed everything in me. Such a precious gift
Amber Haines says
Heidi, I wrote it earlier, but I totally agree. What a gift! The biggest miracles are the ones that happen in the heart.
hippie4ever says
I praise God for going to church today and for being part of the body, the church 🙂
Amber Haines says
I’m praising with you, sister.
Amy says
“Deserts make the water so good.” Oh, they do! I love this.
I’ve been praying for friends and community in our new church and slowly but surely, God has been bringing wonderful people into my life. So, today I’ve been thanking God for all those extroverts who have pulled this introvert into their circle.
Amber Haines says
Oh, I have cried today for the church in my life. I long for my Jesus friends in the way that says we’ll live together in eternity. I am just so grateful.
kendal says
oh, how i love you, amber! “deserts make the water so good” that made me smile. as for answered prayer? my girl, the one i mentor. everything about her, really. i’m scared for neither her physical nor spiritual life anymore. and it’s all because of jesus. and the water is good.
Amber Haines says
To be able to shirk fear!!! Oh, that is such freedom. I feel like I struggle for this with my kids.
Please be my real life friend, by the way.
Erin says
Hi Amber,
I just about fell over when I read the title of the post… I’ve just been studying and writing about this very passage this week, and today in church we watched a video of my pastor’s visit to Ethiopia last week. It was so good to see believers worshipping the Lord in Ethiopia – and to think it started with this one man’s faith!
I’m so encouraged by your words!
God bless you – and the desert roads you must journey that lead to water.
Amber Haines says
Erin, this just really blessed me. Praise God.
I love it when His words, specific ones, follow us around. You know what I mean? I’m really interested to know what you’re learning through your pastor’s trip and all your studies coming together.
I’m interested to know what all I’m learning, too, for that matter. Right now is just a BE stage for us, the early phases of processing.
Katy says
Thank you so much for this, Amber….how beautiful! God is so, so good! Blessings!
Amber Haines says
I agree, Katy. God is good.
Donna Conklin says
Great post. I had the most amazing answer to prayer in October 2011, my daughter was about to give birth to first baby, there were complications of a serious life threatening nature. As she was rushed to emergency c section her husbanb alerted family and family alerted frineds, Churches, their fellow missionary friends and so on. Powerful prayer network. Baby was born woth not enough blood, bad blood virsu and a host of system failures despite a healthy pregnancy. He was resusitated twice, tranfused, etc and in serious danger. All the nurses and doctors at the fabulous MUSC hospital know that this baby is a TRUE miracle of a GOD that is merciful, loving and kind! This has been the biggest answer to many answered prayers in my life. GOD does listen and He humbled me with His awesomeness. I am daily thankful for this baby and he is fine. Amen. Miracles happen
Angie says
I praise God because a few years ago I was in a depressed and unresponsive state. Literally in the hospital. I praise God that I’m not in that state anymore. I praise that though I’d like more understanding of what is going on in my life right now; I know with certainty that he’s with me. I praise God that I’m not in the hospital. I am actually on my lunch break at work. Work. God has brought me far in three years. And I intend to trust him with the next three and beyond. Amen.
Thanks for leading us to Praise.
Anthony Mowlah- Baksh says
Dear sister Angie,
Thank you so very much for your sharing. Amazing, isn’t it, that one person, Philip, passionate about Jesus, shared the gospel with this Ethiopian who so diligently desired to understand God’s word and this enquirer received Christ into his heart and it seems to me that he- one person- in turn became so passionate for Jesus that, in due course, his nation- Ethiopia- accepted Christianity as its faith.
Amazing, isn’t it, how far reaching, how many lives can be touched in a very positive way by one person whose life is touched by Jesus. May God continue to bless you, your loved ones and your ministry, abundantly.