“…Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked. ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him…..”— Acts 8:30–31
My teenage daughter is learning to play the electric guitar.
Now, I have to admit that I was a little reluctant when she wanted to learn this instrument. My images of head-banging rock stars dressed in black and noisy raucous LOUD music did not sweeten the deal. But we went ahead and she got a guitar for her birthday.
Being musically inclined already, she declined lessons and decided to try it on her own with You-tube videos, books, and other digital resources. I listened to her pick away and learn a few basic chords, which led to learning some parts of music of her favorite bands. The instrument is actually amazing, with an incredible range of sounds: soft and acoustic, and with the drive switched on, the loud electric sound we know. As days turned into weeks, and weeks into a few months, she was definitely learning some things, but also had many questions that she couldn’t find answers to on her own.
Last month, I invited her again to consider taking lessons. She agreed, knowing it was hard to move ahead on her own. She needed someone to come alongside her, to answer her questions, someone who knew what they were doing. We found that perfect person in a young man from church, who was an incredible musician.
She has been in lessons almost one month and has learned an amazing amount. She comes home from lessons bubbling over with excitement, and often shows us what she learned. She is into music theory, and asks all her questions and gets them answered, which excites her even more! I couldn’t be more thrilled for her, as I listen to her pluck away at strings and chords she had never known, listening to chords and notes become bars of music that I can recognize. What an incredible gift!
The passage above from Acts tells the story of an Ethiopian official in a chariot who was reading a passage of Scripture about Jesus Christ. He did not understand the passage and what it meant. Philip was led by the Spirit to meet him, answer his questions, and explain it to him. “Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” (vs. 35). After hearing about Jesus, the man wanted to be baptized, and went on his way rejoicing, knowing Jesus as his Savior.
We have questions about faith, about God, about Jesus, about life. God waits for us to ask. He comes alongside to show us His goodness, grace, and mercy. He places people in our lives who can help answer our questions. A friend of mine says, “Questions are handles that open doors.” Don’t be afraid. What questions will you ask God today?
Prayer— “Gracious God, I have so many questions about so many things. I pray with a humble heart that you might hear me and answer me. In your precious Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 