When God sent Philip to a road out in the wilderness,
He went, despite the work he had in this Samaritan town.
Are we so ready to move on, without great bitterness,
When God calls us out from a place where we have settled down?
When Philip saw a chariot near and heard a prophet's words,
The Spirit sent him to join in and witness to the Way.
Are we prepared to join in as the Spirit undergirds
A seeker's search for healing hope for living out the day?
When Philip had baptized the man with gladness and with joy,
He found himself again removed to yet another place.
Are we so ready for this work, to serve and to enjoy?
Lord, make us witnesses to you in this and every place.
TEXT: Charles Spence Freeman, April 2024, after Acts 8:26-40.
MUSIC: Tune KINGSFOLD, English Country Songs, 1893;
harmonization Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1906.
Philip's trail through Acts 8 is brief but meteoric; from Samaria to that wilderness road to Azotus, zip-zip-zip. Would we even be remotely ready for that kind of divine deployment? Philip just does the work he finds before him. May we, with the Spirit's help, be so steady.
No comments:
Post a Comment