I plead the Fifth !:-)……I start with a plea lest i “Criminally” implicate myself…
Spilling by brother’s secrets here might land me in jail somewhere but walking down memory lane and smiling at God’s faithfulness in His orchestrations.The young man had a bounce as he walked and a glimmer in his eyes whenever he talked about this girl in church.Beautiful ,sweet ,calm and shared his interest and love for visiting children’s homes(not sure though where this interest came from or if it was birthed when he met her).I guess two banks should be applauded for stirring and brewing love while the two exchanged notes on credits and balance sheets notes from their shared career paths -or whatever else senior bankers do.She was my friend and i really liked her and more so for him!In-fact it was easier to describe her to mum from the group that had visited my parents home months before.
Not long after and he brought her to meet mum and dad.Weren’t we all excited!
Then whoa!A job station transfer a week later and to another town miles away landed on his desk!
The timing for their next level ,courting and wedding planning was in jeopardy.How was this to work?He knew beyond the shadow of doubt she was God’s choice for him.Against all odds,their beautiful relationship thrived through distance,weekend trips on the road,wedding planning through the phone.(Sir,I am still sending my bill for being the errand girl/PA/treasurer). I smile at the interesting ways of God.
Does God schedule appointments for us and circumstances lead us to reason our way out of them?Can we fail to recognize God’s divine orchestrations altogether?We don’t see that the person sitting next us in the train as the one holding the key to our business breakthrough.We fail to discern our time of visitation in that random chat with a stranger at a business forum.What if my dear brother hadn’t asked his girl(now wife) out before this work transfer and another guy bagged her?
Can we miss God’s orchestrated appointments?
The word of God tells us that there is an appointed time. We see this in Habakkuk 2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time; But at the end it will speak, and it will not lie. Though it tarries, wait for it; Because it will surely come, It will not tarry.
John 5 is a story of a paralytic who had been at the pool for 38 years. He was expecting God to move in a certain way. He had missed so many chances of healing because the angel of the Lord would stir the waters at a certain time of the day and the first to jump into the water would get healed. For him to have been there for 38 years meant that he had missed numerous chances for his healing.There were possibly other sick persons who were stronger than he was or perhaps who had helpers to get them into the pool since it was a scramble for the fittest.
Like the paralytic man, might you be reflecting back and only seeing opportunities you may have missed-promotion at work, business opportunities (add your missed chance to this list). Perhaps you have even settled on maybe it wasn’t God’s will.
Unknown to the paralytic, on this specific day he had an appointment with the Healer. The one under whose instruction and power the angel that stirred the water was. Remember in previous chapters Jesus had already begun his ministry and was making pharisees uncomfortable by the large following of the sick and many who wanted to learn from Him. Surely everyone in town must have heard about Jesus? This man seemed not to have a clue that others were receiving their visitation.He was not in the list of those following Jesus for healing but went about every day as usual to the pool.The way he had always done.
Jesus asks the man “do you want to get well?”
Yet the man started answering his own question and giving his problems to Jesus of how he had no one to help him into the pool to get healing. He did not even realize who was speaking to him! The Healer Himself? He did not need the waters to be stirred!
Do we miss out on what God is doing and are consumed by circumstances we have been in for long? There is a hymn I have grown up listening to which in part says…while on others thou art calling, do not pass me by. The Lord maybe passing by, calling on others and we miss divine appointments with him.
2 Corinthians 6:2 For He says: “In an acceptable time I have heard you, And in the day of salvation I have helped you. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
38 years of trying to get into a pool and all it took was Jesus saying “pick up your mat and go”
Let’s contrast this response with blind Bartimaeus in Mark 10:46-52, who sat by the road begging, When he heard Jesus was passing he cried out.
Jesus, son of David have mercy on me!
The crowds warned him to be quiet but the louder he cried and sure enough, got the Lord’s attention. “What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked .
And he answered “Rabonni, that I may receive my sight”. And immediately, he received his sight and followed Jesus!
In both cases Jesus could see the infirmities of the two men yet he asked them what they wanted done for them. God will often want us to speak out our prayer as it defines our request.
God’s perfect timing might feel as if its too late or too early.However,do not put God in a box by expecting Him to move in a certain way at a specific time. His purposes concerning you remain firm . Be discerning to know when God is at work that you do not miss divine appointments . Don’t look at your own limitation but depend on his strength and power. Could be now is the time of your refreshment in God. Your time of healing or deliverance. It could even be a time for that promotion you have been trusting God for some time now or launching that business. Press in,your appointment with God will materialize sooner than you think!
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