God's Divine Appointment

           

         My friend tells the story about the time she was in an airport during a shooting, because she missed her flight, due to a variety of unrelated events. She endured terminal evacuations, and then lockdown with hundreds of other stranded passengers, for an entire day.  When she be-moaned her situation to a friend via text, the friend’s response took her not only by surprise, but caused her to change her perspective.  “So sorry,” said her friend.  “God must have some divine appointment for you.”  The comment caused my friend to begin looking for the “divine appointment” her friend suggested. 

            After a time, order was restored in the terminal only to have chaos reign again, but thankfully the second time, it was a false alarm. Following the pandemonium of the day, the food court never re-opened.  Snacks were shared, but not nearly enough nourishment for all the passengers within the confines of the terminal.  My friend went in search of food.  She found a store with snacks and asked the manager for a bulk discount.  The manager not only supplied more snacks (she gave her an entire basketful) but bottled water and one of her employees to help her pass the supplies out.  My friend returned to refill the baskets repeatedly and went out to share the supply over and over again.  She came to understand she was in that terminal and missed her flight because God had a job for her to do.

          Sometimes we are all like my friend at the beginning of her story.  We become so self-absorbed with our own problems, within our own perspective we lose sight of the larger picture.  We can’t see through our dark glasses with narrow vision, and be able to be productive. 

            We are all occasionally put into a situation where we are uncomfortable. We are confronted with confrontation, defeat in some way, harm, expectations or just everyday drama! We can fuss and grumble about our circumstance but God can use us, if we are open to his nudging.  Is that always easy?  No, not at all.  Sometimes it requires a little creativity and forthrightness, especially if we need to ask for help to fulfill what we believe God’s wants to be done.

            But what does it take to be open to the nudging of God?  I suggest it takes a relationship, .....a daily one, where there is “conversation!”  The dialogue can come through His Word, other Believers, prayer, our inner voice and the voice of the Holy Spirit --- that “still small voice” within our hearts that offers guidance and encouragement. 

            Going against what seems “normal” can be quite difficult.  When we respond to God’s Divine Appointment, we may feel uncomfortable or even out of place, because it is not what we’d normally do, given our upbringing, personality, of even financial status.  Sometimes, God requires what we are sure we cannot give.  So I encourage you to have “conversation” with Him daily, so no matter what God wants you to do, you will hear….be ready…..and able to respond.