“Do you understand what you are reading?” Philip asked. (Acts 8:30) 

A couple months ago, I was involved in a conversation about birthdays with a few people much younger than myself.  All of them were under 20 years old.  When I told them I was born in 1979, one of them exclaimed, “Wow! You were born in the 1900’s?” 

Nothing makes a guy feel old like being told he’s from the 1900’s.  

It’s a short, funny, wholesome story that plays well with a lot of audiences.  However, I often omit one detail.  It was an interaction I had at church one Sunday with members of our youth group.  That story never fails to get a laugh, but why am I afraid to include the details about it happening at church?

In this chapter of Acts, the Holy Spirit guides Philip, telling him to “Go to that chariot and stay near it.”  God is putting Philip in the right place and the right time, but it’s up to Philip to act.  What I love about Philip’s action is that he doesn’t immediately leap into the chariot and begin proclaiming the glory of Jesus.  He acts intentionally, carefully navigating this path the Spirit has guided him to.

He asks the Ethiopian a simple question.  “Do you understand what you’re reading?” He creates a space for engagement and a response.   He’s invited into a conversation with the Ethiopian, and in that space he’s able to share the Good News of Jesus.  

When I’m put in situations where I can acknowledge my relationship with Jesus, why do I omit those details, like my story above?  Or why when asked what I did this weekend, I frequently answer, “Not much,” when I had a remarkable Sunday at church? Or when someone is interested about my life outside of work, I’m reluctant to talk about my acts of service in the name of Jesus.  

But when I shared that same story without omitting the church part, I connected with a woman who was active in her Church’s youth program.  Mentioning that I went to church on Sunday to a co-worker turned into a conversation about how his family recently reengaged with church.  And one of my best professional connections blossomed through a casual conversation where I discovered we both volunteered at our local churches on Sunday morning.

Like Philip’s Spirit-led encounter with the Ethiopian, the Holy Spirit is guiding me to be in the right place at the right time.    Living supernaturally means I’m not afraid to ask a question or share my stories without omitting the good news of Jesus that flows through my life.

The Spirit is guiding you to be in the right place and the right time.  Don’t be afraid to include those “Jesus moments” in your conversations.  Don’t omit your faith. Reveal to others that Jesus is a part of your life.  You might be surprised at where those conversations lead.