Astonishing Insights From God’s Messengers
As we journey through life, we experience a wide variety of experiences. There are the joyful mountaintop moments. We also face deep, challenging valley periods. In between the two lies a vast expanse of less dramatic day to day living. Nestled in the everyday encounters with others are astonishing insights from God’s messengers. Our messengers don’t necessarily arrive decked in wings. And they may or may not be angels. But they are appointed by God to speak truth, encourage and guide us to do God’s will. I would like to share a few of the encounters I’ve had of this kind. I’m hoping these stories will prompt you to recognize and give thanks for similar encounters you may have had.
Climb Every Mountain
One of the first I recall occurred shortly after my youngest son’s autism diagnosis. Unraveled and despondent, I stopped into my pastor’s office. He spoke of a proverbial climbing of that mountain. He said one day I would look back and see the wisdom and fruit accumulated during that journey. At the time, I could not envision that happening in my earthly lifetime. But God knew exactly what to speak through His servant that day.
My son is 21 years old at this writing. My trajectory reflects what my pastor spoke into my life that day. Now, when I am around other special needs moms, I can bring the blessed assurance to them that was given to me that day. In 1 Peter 5:10, the apostle says, “and, after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” I’ve authored two books since then. I blog twice monthly. I’ve been able to overcome my challenges thanks to God’s promises and mercy.
Structural Vision
A fellow writer friend was tapped by God back in 2015 to breathe oxygen into what was then my languishing book dream. I knew I wanted to write a devotion. But honestly I didn’t have a clue about how to structure it. Without structure there can be no beginning or end. Then, she just laid out the format for me. It was as if God was speaking through her! This friend’s insight provided the framework I needed to get my book off the ground.
And another amazing thing happened in the process as well. Because of those ‘bones,’ my endeavor blossomed into three books total, When we listen to God’s leadings through His people, we can expect a God honoring result as He is able to show up in a big way. In Hebrews 3:18 we read we are to “encourage one another daily”. By sharing what God puts on our hearts to say, we are participating in kingdom building.
Receiving Things from God
An African pastor friend visited me last winter when I was recovering from surgery. He laid hands on me. He and his team prayed I would receive things from God. It seemed impossible. After all, I was forced to seemingly languish flat on my back. A week later, God hatched in me the idea for a fourth book. I ran that idea by someone in a live tutorial attended by forty or so people.
Seven months later, I attended a conference to run my thoughts by a publisher. A woman I didn’t know overheard me introduce myself. She approached me, proceeding to tell me that she had a leading from the Lord about my project. She told me that I would not see the fruit of the project in my lifetime but God wanted me to pay close attention to it. Shortly after this comment, she faded into the crowd and I didn’t see her until the end of the conference. She again reiterated the importance of the project. This was good to hear since I didn’t receive much encouragement from the publisher. If God hadn’t sent her, I might have given up on the whole idea.
That’s My Jam
Recently, starting a podcast popped up on my radar. I know very little about podcasting so deciding to attend a conference felt right. In a room where some of the attendees had been podcasting for several years, I wanted to climb under a table. I don’t even own a microphone! Fortunately I was not the only one feeling that way. My plan was to bond with some fellow newbies, hunker down with them and not rub elbows with the movers and shakers.
But instead, God sent a couple of those messengers to pour into me. In meeting them, I received unexpected encouragement and even clarity regarding my plans. When I timidly mentioned to one of these gals that I thought because of her example I could maybe do something, she excitedly said, “Not only can you do it, I think it’s totally your jam!” My heart stopped as she delivered this encouragement. She later told me she’d gone into that room earlier that morning to pray over the space and asked God for ways she could build up those in attendance. What I thought was strictly my divine appointment turned out to be one for her, too!
A Divine Anthology
I could go on and on about the varied ways God’s messengers have worked in my life to bring clarity, encouragement and purpose to my life. I hope when I’m in heaven someday I will see how God lead me to do the same for others. I’m praying God will continue to show me ways I can pour into others through His leadings to further His kingdom work through them. I can just picture a library of anthologies devoted to this subject matter. In my mind’s eye, one after the other, each volume connects God’s leading to the messenger and then the recipient. Finally, the fruit of that endeavor trickles down to the people God intended to bless through it.
Do you recognize God’s leadings when they occur to you? Ask Him to open your eyes and your heart to the ways you can be of service. When you do, be prepared to follow through and carry out his commissions, large and small.
