You know how I’ve mentioned “divine appointments” on multiple blogs by now?
Well, on my recent surprise visit to the States for my sisters’ graduations (wow, such a treasured and sweet time, by the way), I realized just how many divine appointments I miss all the time.
I saw so many opportunities for ministry as I reentered the States, as I spent time in Texas, and as I ventured back to Honduras.
Before my trip, my team started a Bible study on Romans. In Romans 1, Paul talks about being “eager” to share the Gospel with the Romans.
“That is why I am so eager to preach the gospel also to you who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes,” –Romans 1:15-16
This passage was deeply on my heart the days leading up to my trip and as I embarked upon my trip; I thought to myself, “Yes, I love Jesus, and yes I love others, but how often do I boldly and excitedly proclaim the Gospel?”
And I kept having that thought run through my mind all week throughout my trip.
Another word God keeps laying upon my heart is obedience—obedience in all circumstances.
The verse I keep hearing is this:
“Obedience is better than sacrifice.” -1 Samuel 15:22
(Oh, the [non]irony: a few days ago my mom posted that verse—the exact verse I’ve been hearing from God for two weeks now—in a comment on my recent blog post about obedience.)
As I boarded my plane from Honduras to the U.S., I met a woman from Honduras, named Mariza. She was flying to Miami to visit her son and grandchildren. Startly after our brief introduction, I began my trip with my fairly habitual flight routine of putting in headphones and starting a inflight movie.
With about 40 minutes left of the film (and about 40 minutes left of the flight), I felt a pressing on my heart to speak more with this kind woman.
But God, I really want to finish this movie.
Victoria, you can watch this movie any time, but your time with this woman is only now.
The verse that came to mind was the verse when Jesus is talking about his limited time with his disciples.
“…but you will not always have Me.” -Matthew 26:11
What if this woman was Jesus? Would I choose a movie over the opportunity to speak with Jesus?
It was also far too clear for me to deny; I closed my phone and took out my headphones.
I asked the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation, and began to speak with her in (probably) very broken Spanish. She spoke to me back in broken English. And that’s really how the conversation went, both of us helping each other in the other’s language, and learning about each other. She shared with me about her family, about how she deeply missed her husband who had passed several years ago, and about her long trip to Miami she was currently taking. After awhile, I felt the strong urge to pray for her, so I asked her if I could pray for her. She asked me to pray for her family.
So we prayed together, right there on the plane.
Another divine appointment occurred on the way back to Honduras as I waited in the airport. (Well, sort of; I missed my flight that day.)
Anyhow, I was in the airport in an unorganized baggage check line that I had been placed in by an agitated and stressed American Airlines employee. (I had no bags to check, but anyone who needed special assistance in any capacity was placed in this line; I needed assistance because I was flying internationally with a need to verify my COVID test.
So, there I was, on Memorial Weekend Sunday, in a long line, seemingly for all the AA flight misfits (many of whom missed their flights), moving slower than a snail’s pace.
The woman in front of me started a conversation with me with a kind smile and a bit of lighthearted hopefulness, saying, “Well, I guess if we miss our flights, it’s God’s plan.”
It was funny because, quite literally, I had just had the same thought.
I responded, telling her I felt exactly the same way and added that Jesus sees the big picture so many times when we don’t.
She agreed, and I could see a spark of excitement in her eyes to talk about Jesus.
She then shared with me about her baptism, which had literally taken place the day before.
We talked about the goodness of Christ, knowing his heart, attacks from the enemy, about the Bible, and about Christian books.
Our conversation lasted a total of 15 minutes before she was directed to another line elsewhere, but as we were saying our hasty goodbye, I had tears in my eyes.
I cannot wait to see Melissa again in heaven one day.
I am reminded by these two encounters to aim to never miss an opportunity to share the love of Jesus and to share the Gospel boldly. I am reminded of God’s grace and God’s rich gifts.
Every interaction is an opportunity to love and to point people to Jesus. Are you taking advantage of every opportunity given to you?
Lord, I am humbled by your goodness. I am taken aback by the lavish gifts you shower us with day in and day out. I am in awe of you, Jesus. You are worth of every praise we could ever possibly give. You are radiant and magnificent. I am completely and totally in love with you. Thank you for every opportunity. May I listen for your voice always and be obedient to you.
