A "Chance" Meeting
I spent this past week in Guayaquil, Ecuador with a team of
people from Promise Ministries of which Promise International Fellowship, the
church I pastor, is a part. We were
there for an event designed specifically for children between the ages of four
and fourteen years of age; it’s part of the 4/14 Window
Movement. Because of a change in our schedule, on Wednesday morning a group of
us went with one of the local Assemblies of God missionaries to visit a public
elementary school in one of the poorest sections of the city. There we met 400 children who were obviously
living in very difficult circumstances and with great need. Because it was such
a last minute meeting, it was what we might call a chance meeting.
As we went from room to room, we were greeted by groups of
children who were excited to have this group of strangers come and interrupt
their day. We told them about God's love
for them, distributed snacks and rub-on tattoos, and invited them to come to
the event that was being held the next day at the largest soccer stadium in the
city. We told the children what time the buses would be waiting for them the
next day at the school to take them to the stadium. I wondered, whether or not
any of the children would actually come on such short notice. After all, this
was so last minute and really unplanned.
What a joy it was, however, to see on Thursday evening the
four buses we had sent roll up to the front of the stadium filled with children
excited beyond belief. When they spotted
the two other workers and me, they immediately recognized us--waving and
cheering to us. After a bit we had the children in the stands watching the
presentations and, for the first time in their life, at a professional soccer game.
For me, the best part was watching the game with a couple of them sitting on my
lap. It was one of the best chance
meetings of my life!
Of course, I've used the word chance in italics on purpose. You see, I have to wonder whether of
not our meeting these children was a chance
meeting or a God-ordained appointment. In fact, I sense that it was much
more than fate or chance that brought us in contact with those 400 children;
that somehow God had orchestrated our change in schedule. If not for that chance meeting, none of those children would have been at the event
and we would have missed out on ministering to a group of children who really
do need to know that God loves them and cares for them.
The Apostle Paul wrote of, “making the most of every opportunity….”
(Ephesians 5:16 – NIV) Elsewhere he
wrote, “Therefore, as we have
opportunity, let us do good to all people….” (Galatians 6:10 – NIV)
The thought behind his words is that, God gives to us moments in time to be used
to bring blessing to others and glorify him; moments in time we must not allow
to slip away.
I want to encourage you today to see the people whom you
meet day by day not just as chance meetings,
but as God-ordained appointments--people to whom God is calling you to touch
with his love. Don’t allow the moment to slip away.
Have a great day!
Pastor Tim Harris
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