359. Divine Appointments — Are You Available?

“I had two appointments yesterday afternoon,” Stan began.  “The first one with my dentist was scheduled long in advance.  The second one was not on my calendar.”

“What was that all about? I asked.

“Unless there is some emergency,” Stan said, “I see the dentist twice a year.  She always schedules the next appointment six months in advance. That one was on my calendar.”

“The second appointment,” Stan continued, “was not on my calendar, but it certainly was on God’s.  As I was leaving the dentist’s office and walking to my car, I ran into a fellow I had not seen in at least two years.”

“A friend?” I asked.

“More an acquaintance,” Stan replied.  “I used to see him at church once in a while, but hadn’t seen him for some time.”

Continuing, Stan said, “It was clearly a divine appointment.  The fellow greeted me with a big smile and said something about that he had been thinking about me and wondering if I was still around.”

“Did he say why?” I asked.

“He wanted to know if I was still getting together with people to talk about spiritual growth.  He indicated he was struggling in some areas of his faith and would really appreciate being able to get together and talk.”

“That’s great,” I responded.

“It is,” Stan replied, “and what is really amazing is that as I was talking with him I realized I had been heading in the wrong direction to get back to my car.  I had forgotten where I parked it.  But I was heading in the exact direction God had for me.”

“God clearly wanted me and this fellow to cross paths,” Stan said.

“Does this sort of thing happen with you very often?” I asked.

“More than ever since I took to heart a sentence the apostle Paul wrote in his first letter to the church in Thessaslonica.  The apostle wrote something that I have made a part of my daily prayers.”

“Which is what?”

“That I will be open to God’s divine appointments and will be ready to respond in accord with His will with each person He brings before me.”

“Paul talked about divine appointments?”

“He didn’t use that term,” Stan responded, “but I think that is what he meant when he wrote about being directed by God in the way he should go.”

Concluding, Stan said, “I have made it a prayer each day that God will lead my way to others.  And, not only that He will lead, but that I will follow His leading.”

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Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you.  1 Thessalonians 3:11.

Prayer:  Thank you, Lord, for divine appointments in bringing before me each person you want to be there for your purposes.  I confess that too often I am not available for the people you bring because I am too focused on what I want rather than what you want.  Please forgive me.  And please open me to see what it is you have for me.  Please help me to see and to obey so that your purposes will be accomplished in and through me.  Thank you I can and do bring these prayers before you in the name of Jesus.  Amen.