Sunday, February 15, 2009

Divine Appointment

What is a 'Divine appointment'? It's when you cross paths with someone and you know, without a doubt, that God orchestrated it for a very specific purpose. Well, that's my definition and that's how I pray, that God will bring people across my path in ways I could not come up with, to achieve His plans in our lives.

Today's Divine appointment~ I've been borrowing a friends car, but she needed it this weekend. Church is too far away for me to walk, so I tried calling the cab company a few times, but never got through. I figured it would take awhile for me to get a cab on the street on a early Sunday morning, so I intended to get an early start. Well, if you know me, you know I am not a fast mover in the mornings, especially if I have not had enough coffee. So I finally got out the door and walked to the main street near my apartment. I looked up and down the street and no taxis were coming. Then I heard a honk and saw that a taxi was parked on the side of the road 'waiting' for me. (per God's agenda).

On the way to church, the driver asked me if The Moody Church has a lot of people (yes). He then asked if you have to wait in line to get a seat ( I explained no). He then asked me how I pray and what do I pray (so I briefly shared that because I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, I talk to Him about everything, at any time).

By this point, I could tell he was interested and then I noticed that he had the Moody radio station turned on. So I asked him if he goes to church. Ajit* said that he used to go a lot, but then his wife stopped going and so he stopped going.

He said in all the 23 years of driving taxis, he has never had a woman in his cab going to church on Sunday mornings. (for REAL?) So now I was really interested and by this time, we had pulled up to the entrance, so we could really start talking.

Ajit is from India and is from a Muslim background. But a few years ago, one of his sons started attending a church in Chicago. One by one, all of his children, his wife, and then him started going to church and 'converted' from Islam. Ajit kept referring to his wife and I can tell the Lord has really used her in his life (ladies, don't give up!). I asked him if he reads the Bible and he said he cannot understand the 'thees', 'thous' and all that - Oh! So I wrote down that he should try out the New International Version and start in the book of John.

"When I am in church, I am a different person. When I am not in church, I am not happy." Ajit said.

So I encouraged him to bring his wife to Moody. I told him that all different nationalities and backgrounds are represented at Moody. I then asked him if I could pray for him and he responded enthusiastically!

Ajit said that he never stops and parks his cab, but for 'some reason' he did it this morning just before I crossed the street. :) I encouraged him that the Lord loves him so much and wanted to encourage him this morning.

I share this because I want to increase my faith - sharing God's work with others does that. I share this because Ajit needs prayer and I want to let you know about him. I share this because I want to encourage you to pray for Divine appointments - for God to use you in the lives of others as you go about your daily tasks. The more you pray for it, the more aware you are. The more aware you are, the more empowered you are to be used by God to accomplish His purposes!

God's plan for each life will be accomplished - with or without us. What a blessing that He wants to include you and me to reach out, to love, to be bold, to show compassion, to share Truth.

Let's keep inviting Him in to our days, our errands, our decisions.... and live in expectation to be used for His glory!

*not his real name

1 comment:

Janet said...

What a wonderful story...thanks for sharing!