Throughout life we will experience curve balls or bumps in the road so to say. On the one hand they are divine warnings alerting us to be cautions, pray and seek God’s direction. On the other hand they provide opportunities to see and experience God’s amazing grace. How we respond is critical. We can continue our business and course, or slow down and pray to see what God may be trying to say.
RELEVANCE
At one point I was selling advertising for a major magazine. There was one particular account that ran business with us for several of its divisions. One division suspended its activities, causing me to lose significant business. For the next two years I refocused my energies. I had heard, however, that this division was reorganizing and about to resume activities. I called up one of my former clients on a particular Friday afternoon.
I apologized for losing touch, and updated my client on what we had been doing over the course of these last two years. It wasn’t enough. After the two-hour conversation was over, a sour feeling came upon me. Shame of face hit me as I realized that neglecting some people over those two years was about to cost me. I had a big problem; a real crisis. I needed a plan. We would be closing the issue next week, and if I didn’t get the business a competitor would. It would be such a huge opportunity lost, I couldn’t afford to lose it. I needed a miracle; a creative solution.
After praying over the situation, God convicted me I needed to do something major. An idea came to me. I worked on it over the weekend. The key was getting in front of my client; for time was of the essence. The problem was I needed to present the idea on Monday. However, I was in Dallas and they were in Houston. What to do? Pray!
In prayer, the Holy Spirit prompted me to take an early plane from Dallas to Houston on Monday morning, even though I didn’t have an appointment. Even though it seemed crazy, the Holy Spirit gave me peace and confidence. I showed up at their office at 8:45. Fortunately, my client was there and agreed to see me. After presenting the concept, she made a phone call. That afternoon I had a $250,000 order on my desk….and repeat business continued thereafter.
What favor of God! I acted in faith, and God worked wonders! He demonstrated His faithfulness. The key was seeking God, listening to His instructions, following through with diligence and trusting Him.
What a testimony of God’s faithfulness! What amazing grace! I learned how important it is to be humble, diligent and disciplined at all times, in tune with God and obedient to the promptings of the Holy Spirit. The Lord truly redeems and stands in the gap! He makes up for our shortcomings and failures. God truly is a faithful Father.
REFLECT AND RELATE
God guides us moment by moment if we seek Him and trust His leading by the Holy Spirit. Does He always make it perfectly clear? Absolutely not! Sometimes He keeps us guessing—to seek Him earnestly and keep pressing into Him. Sometimes He surprises us. The point is to seek, ask, knock and obey!
REFERENCES
Acts 13:4; 16:6-10