Thursday of the Third Week of Easter
Many people I have met with express to me their desire to know God’s will. Often they will express their frustration of “not knowing” or the uncertainty and doubts of what path they should pursue. While I understand the desire for certainty and have desired it in my own life, the question remains: What do we do if we are not entirely certain where to go?
Much of the time, God leads us by inspirations that can sometimes feel like vague instructions as God did with Philip when the angel said: “Get up and head south on the road—the desert route.” Philip could have started questioning the angel and inquired, “Why?” or “What will I find if I go that direction?” But, the text indicates that he followed faithfully without receiving more specific instructions at that time. He didn’t have concrete details of what would transpire or what he would find, and, in some way, he had to learn to find peace with that uncertainty.
When Philip gives his initial “yes” to go down the desert route, however, he receives more information: “Go and join up with that chariot.” The Lord often makes His will clearer to us when we have made that first act of faith. The Spirit guides us little by little, not usually a huge step all at once. God has guided us in our lives, and God, in His faithfulness, will continue to lead us. Our role isn’t to know everything, but it is to follow in faith. It is the Spirit who directs us; we just want to be attentive to that Spirit.
Remember that our life of faith isn’t happenstance or coincidence or unraveling without any purpose. All of us were drawn to follow Christ by the grace of God the Father, as Jesus tells us, “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draw him.” We are drawn by a loving Father who desires our good and salvation. Take it one step at a time.
Posted in Lenten Resources