Does God Say Go and You Say No?

Jun 23, 2021

This week we are featuring guest devotionals written by members of our congregation. Today, Annette Hubbell:

The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the LORD holds them by the hand.

- Psalm 37:23-24

Ruth Frost was a dear, dear friend. She loved the Lord, and He surely delighted in her. She spread joy and blessings to all, yet she could make you feel like you were her very best friend. Our conversations were always filled with laughter. Oh, she had the most joyous cackle!

A few weeks ago, Pastor Jared spoke of the tension between engaging others while not assimilating the ways of the world. He said to do what Daniel did: engage, but do not assimilate; engage, and not separate. We are to work toward that balance and give less thought to what the world might think of us. Ruth was good at that. She engaged, brought out the best in people, and did not care a whit what others thought of her truth telling.

Sometimes the opportunity to stand for the truth comes in the form of Divine Appointments—a meeting with another person(s) that God has specifically and unmistakably arranged. These “chance” encounters to share the transforming power of God’s love are given to us by the Holy Spirit because there is something we specifically can do for another. For the giver, this encounter may last the length of a morning greeting, or it may set up a lifelong relationship. For the receiver, it could literally change a life, or save one.

Lord, here I am. Send me.

- Isaiah 6:8

Or in the case of a Divine Appointment: Lord, here I am. Use me.

Ruth always seemed to have a full schedule of Divine Appointments. But every now and then she’d express remorse about missing an opportunity. “I could just kick myself for that,” she would say.

Ruth is not the only one who’s missed a Divine Appointment. We’ve missed them, too.

What’s stopping us from recognizing those appointments and acting upon them? Inattention? Busyness? Yes to both of those, but there’s a measure of fear in there as well. Will I look like a fool? Is that really the Holy Spirit nudging me or is that just my imagination?

Here are six ways for you to recognize and act on those Divine Appointments:

1. Open your heart and set yourself up. Ask God to put you in a position to share God’s love. Our words and actions are powerful. You may think an exchange is small or insignificant, but it could have a ripple effect far beyond what you could imagine.

2. The idea often comes out of nowhere. The thought to speak to that person wasn’t your idea, and it doesn’t seem to go away.

3. Be prepared. Not every encounter is a Gospel moment, but how will you know if, while in the slowest checkout line ever, you’re on your phone? Or, someone appears in your life and the opportunity keeps popping up. Don’t know what you’d say? Plan ahead for that moment, and practice. For help, google “Bible tracts for free” (shipping is even free).

4. They often come in vulnerable moments. Did you feel or see something in someone that touched your heart?

5. Could that delay or change of plans be God’s detour to something more important than your schedule?

6. You find yourself thinking “What’s the worst thing that could happen?” and you begin to see your fear giving way to obedience.

Maybe the question should instead be: “What’s the BEST that could happen?” A Divine Appointment changes everyone involved. That’s how God works. To experience a display of God’s love, kindness, mercy, and grace is a thrill beyond description. What difference will you make today?

Sometimes we don’t realize a Divine Appointment opportunity until it’s too late. Just as Ruth felt remorse about that, we too feel that same regret. She also knew God’s grace covers the repentant heart. Ruth came to think of those missed opportunities as a reminder to be in the world but not of the world. We would do well to follow her example. The realization that we missed a Divine Appointment or didn’t act on it makes us more aware of the next one. And there will be a next one. That’s how God works.