Tuesday, March 2, 2010, 5:19 PM
In recent weeks I have been thinking a lot about "Divine Appointments." It is increasingly clear that God has "appointments" for us that are "scheduled" but may not be on our calendars.
I say "us" knowing that my experience with this is a personal one. Not every personal experience can be extrapolated into a universal experience. I am confident, however, that what is happening in my life on this topic, is available to everyone.
Was it a "coincidence" that Jesus was at a particular well when the woman with multiple husbands came to get water? Did Jesus just happen to be speaking in a particular city when the woman with the issue of blood reached out to him in a crowd and in faith touched his garment? Did Jesus just happen to be going down a street, look up and see a particular tax collector in a tree? I think not. These were, in my mind, "Divine Appointments."
This afternoon I was returning from a meeting of the clergy association. I was across the street from the church when I saw a tall man looking intently through the doors of the church into the sanctuary. As I approached the corner he walked across the street then into the parking lot across from the restaurant across the street. Something told me to watch where he went. I made the decision to cross the street to the parking lot and approach him. When I called out to him he turned and waited for me to get closer.
Once we were within speaking distance I introduced myself to him and asked, if there was something or someone he was looking for at the church. In moments he poured out his heart and told me he was looking for fellowship because he was "missing Jesus." This was a phrase he used several times during the next two hours. You read that right. In the middle of the parking lot two tall men stood talking, praying, and crying about Jesus. I learned of his experience in another church that is no longer in existence, his marriage of twenty years, anabout his CD's and other recordings on a variety of religious and secular topics. He was not selling anything. He simply wanted to find a place that he could grow and develop his faith.
His wife is not a believer and he clearly wants that to change. I was encouraged by the earnestness of this man. I was blessed by his testimony of faith and his clear desire to be in fellowship with other believers. I was honored by his trust and sense that he could be completely honest with me about the desires of his heart. For the second time today, I heard a person express their frustration with church people" and their "simplistic answers" (his words not mine) to complex issues.
Only God knows the path this couple is on. Only God knows the plan that is exactly right for them. In the parking lot, "Nedd" and I prayed a prayer of thanksgiving for our meeting, for the things happening in our respective lives, and for what God is doing through these circumstances. "Nedd" was invited to join what is, for now, the Men's Bible Study" on Wednesday night. He and I will meet again in the next day or so for more discussion and prayer.
I am continually told by several people in the congregation "Tell me what you want me to do and I will do it." Not all of you reading this note worshipp in this community. Be that as it may, I write to invite/challenge you to join me:
- In prayer for "Nedd" and for his wife. Let God direct us in how to pray for them. Lets do our best to resist the temptation to put our "wish list" into God has already planned.
- In being willing to have our eyes opened so that we may see, more than ever before, the people God arranges for OUR "Divine Appointments."
- When/if that seems a bit frightening, lets be willing to let God calm our fears about it and watch God help us walk on the "water" around our "boat." I firmly believe that God is still in the business of miracle making. The greatest miracle is waiting to be done in your life and in mine. Lets make ourselves available for that work to be done.
- Lets study the lives of other believers who made a positive impact on people and situations in their world then choose to model their behaviors so that we can have a more positive impact on the world around us.
God is GOOD!
Let us, starting now, PRAISE GOD TOGETHER for what is being done in, around, with and through us.
Thanks for your time,
Any takers?
John-David
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