This year moments have unfolded that remind us that divine plans surpass our own.
At a lakeside baptism service, my family encountered another group having a baptism just as we were. They worship on Saturdays because their leaders are Sunday-keepers who have a church in the city, and drive out on Saturdays to disciple this group in their little village.
We stayed in touch, and before long, I had preached for their small group twice. The last time, their leader said, “Come whenever. Our doors are open on Saturday mornings.”
It is remarkable: They are not Adventist, but they already worship on the seventh day without knowing why this is such a blessing.
Another divine connection is with my friend. I have prayed for her for years. One morning, before our furlough, I sent a text message to her and the other ladies I had been praying for, asking if they had any prayer requests.
“I want to know more about God,” she answered. We met for lunch that day, and I gave her a Bible. I suggested that she start reading about Jesus in the New Testament. A couple of weeks later, she came to my house while we were packing our bags.
“I am having a hard time understanding this,” she said.
I asked my friend to keep reading those passages, knowing that the Holy Spirit can lead her to greater understanding as she continued, especially as I prayed for her. While on furlough, I will stay in touch to continue watering the seed, but for now, I assured her that when we return, we will study in person.
God plants, waters and harvests. We must simply make sure we do our part and show up. Furloughs can be interesting. Sometimes it looks like He is accelerating everything in the field right as we are leaving. That’s tough. But honestly, it can prove that we are not indispensable. We obey, we trust, we watch. When we return home, I am excited to see who else He will bring our way. Thank you for your support and prayers.
