Glorious Divine Encounters!

How do two particular strangers end up sharing a Destiny?

By the Divine Encounters You orchestrate, Lord!

Like the particular slave trader who purchased Joseph when his brothers sold him to be rid of him.  Your Word does not record his name, but You know exactly who he was.

You sent him… as part of a caravan of Ishmaelites from Gilead (Genesis 37:25).  He bought Joseph for 20 shekels of silver and took him to Egypt.  And then that particular slave trader “just happened to” sell Joseph to Potiphar — the captain of Pharaoh’s guard.

Years later, did that slave trader realize the second most powerful man in all of Egypt was the same young lad he had once “owned”?

How about Simon of Cyrene?

He was a dad with two sons, who “just happened to be” passing by a street commotion on his way into Jerusalem from the country.  Suddenly, a Roman soldier was forcing him to carry the cross of a condemned man (Mark 15:27).

Your cross, Lord.

Had he heard Your name before?  Did he know who You were?  Did he later hear about Your resurrection?  Did he see You?  Was he changed forever when he learned The Truth?

Or even the Physical Therapist who “just happened to be” assigned to me after I survived that spectacular auto accident almost thirty years ago?

I didn’t know You back then, but I was keenly aware You were “after” me.  You were making Yourself known to me in very obvious and personal ways I couldn’t deny.

So much so, that I had decided to try to learn more about you.  Out of the blue, I “just happened to” get this “great idea” to read the Bible.  I had never read it before.  Two days later, I was assigned to this Physical Therapist and met her for the first time.

I said: “Hi!  Tell me about yourself.”  She said, “My husband and I are new in town, and — [the second thing she said to me was] — one of the things I like to do in my spare time is teach people how to read the Bible.”  

NO WAY!!!  Major Weird!!!  Goosebumps!!!  Am I in a “Twilight Zone” rerun?!

I didn’t say anything.  I just went home and realized:  The God of the Universe had just orchestrated a Divine Encounter.  I could almost hear Your Voice, Lord:

“Oh, you want to read the Bible?  Here’s a resource who could help you.  But you know what?  It’s totally your choice.  If you don’t say anything, she will never know what’s really going on here.”

I did say something.  Two days later, at our next appointment.

“I don’t think it’s a coincidence that you’re my Physical Therapist.”  She responded, “Really?  Why?”  I told her the story.  She retorted, “I think you’re right.  When do you want to get started?”  I said, “How about today?  I don’t think we’re supposed to wait.” 

We didn’t wait.  And two months later, I was the reason all of heaven was rejoicing!

“In the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who do not need to repent.”  (Luke 15:7)

Glorious Divine Encounters!  Two strangers meeting in perfect ways and perfect timing they could never have orchestrated.  All because You have A Plan, Lord.  A Great and Glorious Plan!!!

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.'”  (Jeremiah 29:11)

You’re doing it even now, even today… aren’t You, Lord?!  Out of Your Awesome, Abundant, Abiding, All-consuming LOVE for us!!!

More goosebumps… on steroids!!!  🙂   Oh, Abba… There could never be any adventure more thrilling than Life with You!!!   🙂

So I wonder… Who will I be meeting tomorrow???

Expectantly…   !!!

Abba’s Girl