Daily Devotional: A Thirst for the Spirit

Hello, amazing friends! It’s great to see you again! Today, we’re diving into our daily devotional and offering a quick, uplifting thought to brighten your day. If you have a moment, consider reading Acts 8:26-40 in your preferred Bible version before continuing here.

If you're pressed for time, focus on the key elements of this passage:

"Starting with that passage, Philip proclaimed the good news about Jesus to him. As they went down the road, they came to some water. The Eunuch said, “Look! Water! What would keep me from being baptised?” He ordered that the carriage halt. Both Philip and the Eunuch went down to the water, where Philip baptised him. When they came up out of the water, the Lord’s Spirit suddenly took Philip away. The Eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. Philip found himself in Azotus. He traveled through that area, preaching the good news in all the cities until he reached Caesarea."

The Ethiopian Eunuch, the first Gentile convert to Christianity, was a person of colour and transgender. This account in Acts 8 reveals a person with a profound spiritual yearning who struggled with how to express it. Returning from the Temple, the Eunuch faced exclusion because, as an outsider and a Eunuch, they would have been barred from participating in worship. Yet, their desire to connect with God remained strong.

Many queer and trans individuals can relate to this feeling: a deep yearning for spiritual community and practice, but facing rejection due to sexual orientation or gender identity. What stands out in this story is the Eunuch’s commitment to fulfilling their spiritual needs.

Despite challenges and limited understanding, the Eunuch diligently studied and eagerly seized the chance to learn from Philip. Their courage to request baptism, despite knowing the odds were against them, was met with acceptance.

The Ethiopian Eunuch’s story encourages us to seek out and meet our spiritual needs, embrace learning opportunities, and advocate for churches to not only accept but celebrate our identities.

Reflection Questions:
Reflect on a time when you felt a deep spiritual longing. How did it impact you?
Write about an experience where you felt excluded from a place you wanted to belong. What lessons did you take away from that?
What significance does baptism hold for you personally?

Practical Exercises:
Find some water, ideally outside but indoors will work too, and take a moment to honor your baptism.
Enhance your spiritual practice today with an extra measure of prayer, a walk through a labyrinth, meditation, singing, or any activity that uplifts your spirit.
Reach out and extend a warm welcome to someone who might feel excluded from your community, whether it’s in a group, your church, or at work, to help them feel a sense of belonging.

That wraps up today’s devotional! I hope it has brought a bit of light to your day. If you found it inspiring, feel free to share it to spread the good vibes. Thanks for being with us today—celebrate what makes you unique! Take care and stay positive until our next gathering.

Footnotes:

Source: Kearns, S., & Murphy, B. (2020). "Queers the Word" - (Adapted for reflection of Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch. Scripture: Acts 8:26-40

Image Title: "Fluid Grace" Source: Midjourney’s image generation model.

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