Read Acts 8:26-39.

An angel of the Lord spoke to Philip: "Get up and go south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to desert Gaza." So he got up and went. Acts 8:26-27a

Recently, at the end of a dentist appointment, I had a conversation with the lady who was completing my visit, sharing costs and processes with me. I had not met her before this day. As we shared parts of our story, we discovered that we both have a child the same age. Seemingly out of the blue, she shared that her mother-in-law was recently diagnosed with dementia. This opened the door for me to share about my mother and mother-in-law's battle with Alzheimer’s.

During our talk, I made several references to how the Lord blessed us, despite the difficulty of this struggle. One blessing that I shared was how He provided us with an incredible caregiver who provided care for both my mom and mother-in-law. I shared that I did not understand why they had to suffer, and that I would have lots of questions when I see Jesus face to face, but that I trusted He knew best.

After a 20-minute conversation, I wished the lady the best and offered for her to reach out if I could be of any other assistance to her and her family. I received an email from her as a follow up to my appointment a couple days later, and this was her note at the end: Thank you for sharing your journey about your mother and mother-in-law. After you left my office, I immediately reached out to my husband and sister in-laws. I am a Christian and do not believe in coincidence. I truly believe you were meant to share with me and remind me of the urgency of their health and current needs. THANK YOU!

I was happy to have had this conversation and to know that it made a difference in this ladies’ life. Did God arrange this meeting and conversation? Was it meant for me to meet and talk with this lady on this particular day? If we believe in the sovereignty of Christ, we have to answer that with a yes. This was not coincidence but a divine appointment, a meeting or event that God specifically and unmistakably arranged.

I realized through this encounter, and others like them, that God works through us to share His love. Our words and actions are powerful, even if they seem small or insignificant. We just need to be aware of the Lord working among us and be willing to act and maybe even have our lives interrupted.

In today’s Scripture, Philip encountered an Ethiopian eunuch and was given a divine opportunity to share the good news about Christ. And, he jumped at it! Philip led the man to salvation and even baptized him. The man was forever changed and took this new faith back to his home.

While we may not have an angel to appear to us in person so we know when we are being given a divine opportunity, we have the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit. May we be open to God’s moving and prompting in our lives and look for ways we can minister to those whose path we cross.

Call to Action

When have you experienced a divine appointment? Share this with someone today.

When did you miss one? What can you do to not miss ones in the future?

Are you willing to have your life interrupted for an eternal purpose?

Dig Deeper

For another example of a divine appointment, check out Acts 3:1-10 to see where Peter and John chose not to pass up a blind beggar.

Prayer

Lord, thanks for opportunities to be kind, express love, and share about You with others. Help us to look for these and not miss out on Your blessings that come as a result.

Divine Appointments

Kyle Cravens

Divine Appointments

Don’t Go It Alone

Kyle Cravens