(Acts 8:26) Now an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, "Arise and go toward the south along the road which goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." This is desert.
There are many times in life when you will face a transition. This is that place in life where you are moving in another direction. Doors have closed. The work has been completed. A season of change is on the horizon and you can feel it. There is a new vision but it’s still a little fuzzy. A new chapter of your life is going to be written. But the page is turning and it’s turning slowly. You feel in limbo. People ask you what’s happening, and you don’t even know! It’s a little bit awkward. You feel sure but unsure at the same time. How in the world do you handle transition?
Phillip was facing a transition. God was using him mightily in Samaria. People were coming to the Lord and many were being healed. Peter and John even came up from Jerusalem to check it out. But in the midst of the revival there the Lord spoke to Phillip and told him to go down to the desert of Gaza. That’s all God said. No explanations. No revelations. Just go down to Gaza. Leave the security of the present and venture out into the unknown. It didn’t make sense, but he didn’t fuss with the plan of God for his life. By faith he entered the “transition zone.” It must have been a long walk down there to Gaza. But when he got there he happened upon the Ethiopian eunuch and led him to the Lord. This man then took the gospel to Africa! God always knows what He’s doing.
If you look closer at Phillip’s life you will see periodic transition. He started out as one of the seven servants in Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-7), then transitioned to the role of an evangelist in Samaria (Acts 8:5-25). He then led the Ethiopian to the Lord (Acts 8:25-40), and finally transitioned into family life in Caesarea, even receiving the apostle Paul into his home (Acts 21:8-15). That’s a lot of transition and different roles over his lifetime!
How about you? Are you in transition? Then something exciting lies just around the corner. Don’t fight it. Go with it. Step out into what God has for you. Yes, it’s scary and at first you will feel apprehensive. But during transition God will provide and be your Rock. When life changes, He doesn’t. You can draw close to Him. He’ll help you through your transition and ease you into the next phase of His plan for you.
Take a lesson from Phillip. At each transition God was there leading, guiding, and providing. And each new chapter was strategic and profitable. Life can never be the same. Things will inevitably change. But when God’s in it, it’s always for the better. So, put your seatbelt on and enjoy the ride. You’re in the thrill of transition!
Louie