Divine Appointments

I believe in divine appointments. Meetings arranged by God at a specific point in time for two peoples’ lives to collide.

I haven’t always believed in these meetings as I do now. As a teenager, I was under the impression that the only reason people entered my life was to take something from me. But I have come to understand that every person who has crossed my path has left something wonderful behind. It may take me years to uncover the ‘gift’ they leave, but when I come across it I am so grateful for them.

My life has collided with numerous people over the years. People who bring something beautiful to my existence and people who take more than I have to offer. People who encourage me and people who try to tear me down. People who become like family and people who I have to walk away from. People who stick around and people who are just passing through.

Recently, God has arranged some pretty miraculous meetings for me. And He has solidified my belief that nothing in this life happens by accident.

Two weeks ago, he walked two students into my classroom that lived in the same town I grew up in. We formed a bond based on a place 1,500 miles away. All of my students bring joy and encouragement to my life, but I was pleasantly surprised to find two people, in the middle of Small Town USA, who come from the same place I do.

A couple of days later, a woman who opened many doors for me walked back into my life. I hugged her and thanked her over and over again for all the help she had given me. This woman invested great amounts of time and energy into my life. She was floored when I told her all her hard work had sprouted seed after seed in my life. Her investment is STILL blessing me to this day! God knew I wanted to thank her and planned a divine appointment on my calendar just so I could.

One of my favorite meetings happened a few months ago. A student of mine who I had been praying fervently for had been on my mind. I hadn’t seen her in over a year and just kept thinking about her. On a random Saturday in December, I literally ran into her at Sam’s Club. Everything I had been praying for had come to pass in her life. I wanted to cry tears of joy! I thanked God then—and still do—for that divine appointment. What an encouragement it was to see that my investment—the hours I had spent praying—had all come to pass. If you're wondering if prayer works, take my word for it: IT MOST CERTAINLY DOES.

There are no accidental meetings; they’re all divine appointments. There will be many people who cross your path. God has already equipped you with everything you need to help them on their journey. Because isn't that what we’re all doing here? We’re helping each other, encouraging each other and lifting each other up as we navigate the rocky waters of this life. If we’re not doing that, then maybe it’s time to start. 

The people that you meet in this life come to you by no accident. Yes, even the difficult ones. Thank God for his divine appointments. Make the most of the time he gives you with others. Thank the people you need to. Invest in the ones you need to. Encourage and build up. Have deep conversations about faith and life. Leave each person better than when you found them.

Take care of the people that you meet in this life. Even the people who continually take from you. I have never regretted investing in someone who has not returned the favor. When you aim to do good always—even when the world tells you that some people don’t deserve it—you will be shocked to see that God will bring people into your life that will build you up and restore your faith. The more you invest, the more people God will send to invest in you.

--Jessica