The People God Places in Our Path

Devotional week 39

"Peter and John went to the Temple one afternoon to take part in the three o'clock prayer service. As they approached the Temple, a man lame from birth was being carried in. Each day he was put beside the Temple gate, the one called the Beautiful Gate, so he could beg from the people going into the Temple. When he saw Peter and John about to enter, he asked them for some money."

Acts 3:1–3 (NIV)

The Bible has many stories of people who meet by what seems like chance. But look closer, and you will often see God's hand behind the meeting. It is as if he brought two people together without either one realizing it.

In our GO Equipped courses, we ask people to commit to starting each day with God. Some of us are morning people who spend time in the Bible and in prayer early in the day. Others prefer to sleep in and have less time before heading out to work or other duties. No matter your preference, you can start your day by giving it to God and asking him to help you meet the people around you, at your desk, in a meeting, on a commute, the way he would meet them.

When we give our day to God like this, He will sometimes arrange meetings we never planned for. I have had a few of these lately while travelling. On a recent overnight flight, the airline changed my seat after check-in. Instead of the aisle seat I prefer, I got a middle seat. Even though I always pray for God to arrange meetings as I travel, I did not see his hand in this one. I got upset and started complaining to myself.

The next morning, I started talking with the man sitting next to me. Like me, he was heading back to Europe from work in East Africa, though we had served in different countries. As we talked, we found out we had mutual friends there. That discovery led to a long, honest conversation. He told me he grew up in a Christian home but had walked away from the faith he was raised in. I got to share about my own life and faith too.

I don't know what that conversation meant for him. But I believe the meeting was arranged by the Holy Spirit for a reason. Over the years, I have learned to leave the outcome of such meetings in his hands.

As I left the plane, I was thankful God had changed my seat, even though He knew I would grumble about it first. Next time, I hope to recognize his hand sooner, whether I'm on a flight or at my own workplace.

Challenge

Will you commit to giving God your day and asking him to arrange the meetings you have, at work, at home, or anywhere else? Think of a time God arranged a meeting like this for you. Who can you share that story with this week?

Pray

Lord, I give you my day. Lead me to the people you want me to meet, wherever I go today, at work or anywhere else. Help me meet them the way you would, and use me right where you have placed me.