I had two of those Close Encounters today, Lord… thanks to You. Each one was, in its own way, life-saving.
Isn’t that always true where You are concerned?
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have Life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
The first Divine Close Encounter happened this morning. I was meeting with a precious woman you have given me the privilege of loving toward You.
She is at a major crossroads in her life. One of those “Kairos Moments” when conditions are right for the accomplishment of a crucial action. The opportune and decisive moment when she can either turn toward You or away from You in a way that will change her life forever.
She was already way down the path she knew in her heart wasn’t the “right” one — the one You would want her to be on. But she was hurting so much she didn’t see any other way out. And she had momentum to keep going in that direction…
Until You showed up, Lord.
I was praying, praying, praying for her… even as I asked the questions You gave me to ask and said the things You gave me to say. Suddenly, her Divine Close Encounter occurred.
She is not yet ready to get off the path she is on. Nor is she ready to “back up.” But she’s now willing to STOP right where she is. To stop and see if You will meet her there… in a way that will make any difference.
Sometimes stopping and waiting is the very BEST thing we can do… isn’t it, Lord? Especially when we are blind to the cliff (or the quicksand) we are headed toward.
“Be still, and know that I am God.” (Psalm 46:10)
You have made so many of Your Scriptures real to me, Lord! Some were Lifelines when I was drowning in seas of despair. Others were Light that guided my path out of darkness. They have become like old and very dear friends to me.
I shared various passages with this dear woman today as You brought them to my mind. Just the words and their meaning, woven into my own words.
You moved me to tell her about the thief. I read Your warning about his deadly agenda and Your promise of Life. She considered how he might be working his agenda in her life. You had me also share this Scripture’s address, in case she wanted to look it up.
She did a double-take. “Where did you say I can find that passage?” John 10:10.
John. The name of the pivotal person in her Kairos Moment.
And his birthday is… October 10.
When does Your Voice seem almost audible, Lord? When we recognize “coincidences” as Divine Close Encounters?
“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have Life, and have it to the full.” (John 10:10)
Grateful for Goosebumps,
Abba’s Girl