Got Invitations?

I have to admit I'm not familiar at all with the stories told in The Acts of the Apostles (aka Acts). I'm reading today's passage from Acts 8:26-40 and kind of wishing I did. At the same time, I'm maybe glad I don't so that my thoughts aren't cluttered with what is or is not historically correct.

I like how this story unfolds and the characters used to tell it. I imagined two people from different worlds with nothing much in common except that they were both in the same place at the same time. Many questions crossed my mind; "Why was an Ethiopian eunuch in Jerusalem to worship?"..."Why was the eunuch reading the prophet Isaiah?"..."If this eunuch was in charge of his queen's treasury and riding a chariot wouldn't Philip have a more difficult time gaining access to the eunuch?"

Maybe a closer study of Acts is in my near future. For now, however, I want to focus on what our theme for the week is; abiding. I read through this passage three times and on the third passing my focus was drawn to verse 31b. It says, "And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him." Until this point in the story the eunuch seemed to have as many questions about what the prophet Isaiah was saying as I did about this passage, and the eunuch knew enough to know he needed guidance to help him understand.

Peter hops into the chariot and beginning with the scripture in Isaiah he starts to share about the life of Jesus. The eunuch seemed to be so moved by the what he was hearing that when they passed a body of water he asked to be baptized. A very nice story indeed.

What interests me is not how Philip approaches the eunuch and begins a conversation, but how the eunuch invites Philip to spend some time with him. This, in my opinion, is where the story makes its point. There are many opportunities throughout our lives when we are asked to sit and share ourselves with those looking for understanding about the many questions in life. It's in our response to these opportunities we are to look out for. These are the moments we need to become more aware of; the small moments to simply be with others to share God's love.

So, the next time a rich eunuch asks you to sit in his chariot and just talk about life, do it. You never know who's life you'll change.