FOLLOW ORDINARY DIRECTIONS
Jenna Worsham
Today’s Scripture: “Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’ This is a desert place.” Acts 8:26, ESV
Theme: God can send messages in extraordinary ways directing God’s people to do ordinary things.
ORDINARY INVITATIONS
Philip was literally directed to go to a specific location – a road from Jerusalem to Gaza (Acts 8:26). There was nothing special about the road; it was in a desert, probably a remote location. Yet, when the Holy Spirit leads, there is an assignment waiting.
A while ago, I attended a women’s event at the Statesville campus with my Life Group. We met up in the atrium and found seats together. As we settled, I noticed a lady one row in front of us sitting alone. I felt prompted to move up a row, sit next to her, and ask her to sit with us. It was an ordinary invitation in a low-risk situation. It took me a few minutes to respond to the Holy Spirit’s prompting: I just couldn’t stop noticing her. Turns out, she didn’t know anyone; she was new in town; and she had also traveled from the Mooresville campus. No one at the event had yet spoken with her. She moved to sit with us and later took me up on an invitation to join our Life Group. Now, she regularly attends Life Group and weekend services at the Mooresville campus.
This week, a mom of one of my daughter’s school friends mentioned that she used to attend The Cove. After the girls spent some time together over the weekend, I kept thinking I should invite her to join my Life Group, invite her daughter to come with us to Cove Students, or invite their family to return to a weekend service. I sent a text. Who knows? Maybe she will come. God calls us to obey, no matter what the result. The results are in His hands!
THE WAY WE LEAD OUR CHILDREN
The Holy Spirit leads us on our regular days and in normal circumstances. The Israelites were instructed to teach their children about God’s laws in everyday circumstances: “And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise” (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, ESV). Children continue to learn by everyday examples, communicated in our actions and our words, over time. God leads us as we sit in our houses, when we are on our way, when we lie down to rest, and when we get up. The Holy Spirit, when we are attentive to Him, does speak in the miraculous, but also in the seemingly mundane. Pay close attention to His voice.
Make It Personal: How has the Holy Spirit directed me in ordinary scenarios? In what ways can I be more sensitive and attentive to His prompting?
Pray: Holy Spirit, I invite You into the ordinary places of my life. I want to create a habit of tuning in to what You are saying and expecting You to speak regularly. I will listen at home. I will pay attention when I’m on my way – and try not to rush too much. I will listen when I lie down, when I get up, while I’m with my family, when I’m in line, and while I’m at church. Help me to hear You; help me to become more sensitive to Your voice. Thank You for the gift of Your direction and leading. I often don’t know what to do. Please help me to seek You and listen expectantly. In Jesus’ Name, amen.
Read: Acts 8:26-35; Proverbs 1:5; Proverbs 8:34
Weekly Memory Verse: But be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, Ephesians 5:18b - 19 (ESV)