Chapter One Orchestrated Meeting
When I was upset and beside myself, you calmed me down and cheered me up.
Psalm 94:19 MSG
If only my eyes had windshield wipers. Tears blurred my vision as I turned onto the 405 freeway. How could a leadership meeting go so wrong? I had been caught completely off guard and walked into a whirlwind of false accusations and unrealistic expectations. When I was subsequently asked to step out of my ministry position for a time, I was stunned. I left the meeting hurt and confused. I wasn't in any condition to drive, but I just wanted to get home. My heart raced as I wept and relived the painful event. I blinked my eyes into focus and noticed a familiar personalized license plate on the car in front of me. It was my friend's car. Oh, how I needed a friend!
I honked my horn and flashed my headlights frantically until the car pulled to the shoulder of the road. I followed suit, turned off my engine, and ran along the freeway into the arms of two of my dearest friends. They hugged me for a moment before suggesting that we move to a safer location. We exited the highway and, since it was after dark, found a lighted parking lot. We all climbed into one car, where I relayed the evening's events. We talked, cried, and prayed together.
After a few minutes, my heart rate returned to normal and my tears slowed to a trickle. Relieved and grateful for their timely hugs, I asked my friends, who didn't live in the area, why they were in town. They had driven over to attend a special event, but their plans for a big night of fun had fallen apart when they were unable to find the event location. Their "we drove all the way down here for nothing" conversation had been interrupted by my honking horn and flashing lights.
Whenever I fi nd myself in a state of despair, I remember that night on the 405 freeway. My friends' consoling hugs were a precious gift from God. He knew I would be in distress, and He sent two treasured friends to comfort me.
-- Debbie Wong
Embracing God's Truth
As Debbie saw the familiar car and license plate on the freeway that night, she recognized that God had orchestrated her friends' presence precisely at her time of distress. He placed her friend's car in front of her so she would be able to receive the comfort and warm hugs she needed after a devastating meeting.
Have you ever had a friend show up at a time when you needed a warm hug or a friendly smile? If so, describe the circumstances.
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Read Isaiah 46:10-11. What do you learn about God from these passages?
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What additional information do you gain from Psalm 147:5?
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God is powerful, and there is no limit to His knowledge and understanding. He can coordinate the circumstances of our lives to accomplish His divine purposes.
What additional encouragement do you find in Psalm 139:1-4, 13-16?
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God knows all that has happened in your past; He is aware of the circumstances you find yourself in today; and He knows the challenges you will face tomorrow. He understands your thoughts before you even think them and your words before you say them. God created you, and you are precious to Him. You can take comfort in the realization that God anticipates your needs and is able to meet every one of them.
God orchestrated Debbie's meeting with friends on the 405. And as difficult as it was for her, He also allowed the painful events to unfold earlier that evening. Perhaps God had plans for Debbie other than the position she was in. Maybe someone else was supposed to lead that particular ministry at that time. Whatever the reasons behind that first meeting, neither of Debbie's two meetings that night happened without God's knowledge.
The next time you encounter a painful trial that you don't understand or run into a treasured friend when you're feeling discouraged, remember that God is the divine orchestrator. We don't always understand what He's doing, but He is always at work, in every meeting and situation, accomplishing His purposes. © 2009 by Mindy Ferguson
