Watching for the People God Brings Across your Path

This is my last day in Pennsylvania for a while. I leave tomorrow to return to California. I’m really ready to get home and get some Sara time in. As an added bonus, my daughter and granddaughter will be picking me up from LAX because Sara is working tomorrow. That will be fun.

I am continually amazed at God’s ability to make connections. When he is so good at it, I wonder why we fuss and stew over trying to make things happen. While in Grove City, PA, I found out about a counselor at a local college who is involved in some complementary work to the work I do in BridgeBuilders. We got to spend an hour today sharing how God led us into our respective attempts to bring truth and respect to the sexual orientation debate. It was enligtening and encouraging to meet him and find that his perspective might provide some real help to the piece I’m working on with the First Amendment Center designed to help schools navigate this social conflict. Isn’t he amazing?

Also this week I met a couple who drove six hours to be part of seminar I was doing in here. Six hours? Amazing! We also had some time personally together as they are at some critical moments of decision in the process of Father’s work in them inviting them to greater freedom and life in his name. They had such gentle and warm spirits that I knew instantly Father had been well at work long before I got to meet them. It is so encouraging to see how Jesus is leading people to his side and teaching them how to live in his life.

And I heard from a friend today on an Internet list. She was responding to something I had told her in the past about how God is very good as setting his children in the family as he desires. Community is a gift God gives, not a chore for us to produce. She had been waiting a long time to make connection with someone in her locality that shared her passion for relational life in Jesus shared among believers. in the last few days God has connected her and her husband with another couple who is on a similar journey.

He knows! He is able to make every connection we need as we live deeply in him and keep our eyes and ears open for the people he puts in our path. And when he does, take some time to taste of the relationship and see where it might lead. They may be people on a similar journey that you are; or they may be people who will be if you befriend them and they see the life of Jesus in you. You just never know what God might do if you don’t make the effort to cultivate relationships with people God brings near you. I wonder how many people feel isolated and alone when God has sent people across their path, but they have missed them because they are so looking for what they want instead of what God is giving. Let’s live by what he gives, not by our own devices, nor imprisoned in our own insecurities.

At least as much as he graces us to do so. I know there are seasons may God want us just to himself for a time, so enjoy those too! But when he is ready to gift you with community, be ready to respond to the doors he opens and be able to celebrate the joy of community in Father’s family.

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