Have you ever crossed paths with a person in a random setting or situation and that interaction changed your life forever? An introduction to a future spouse? Introductions to someone that later provided entry to a job opportunity? Introductions to someone that fixed a lifelong issue? Was this all fate or randomness?

God’s workings are a mystery. The people I have been drawn into relationships with are part of his design for my life. Some people have caused me pain but most people have been an encouragement and a blessing. In the same way I have caused pain to some and encouragement to others along the way.

Gladly we desire even expect God to give us blessings, but I have found what I desire from God rarely works out the way I expect. What I mean by that is that God’s gifts and God’s plan for my life is perfect even when I don’t understand or find it painful. Take for example Peter and John the beloved disciples making their way to the temple to worship when they are encounter a beggar who is clearly disabled. This beggar is doing his part asking for money, for charity, from the people headed to the temple. The worshipers need to do their part by providing money, charity, to the beggars they find on the way. The beggar’s life is not glamorous. Yet on this day his request for money is rejected for something greater.

5 And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them. 6 But Peter said, “I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!” Acts 3:5-6 ESV

Americans collectively give more than a billion dollars a year to Charities. This is in addition to the billions the US government pays out in food, housing, and medical subsidies each year. We are generous with money because we have it in abundance. Many people want the government to provide all needs to all people (free education, free healthcare, free jobs) but the world and the government cannot offer what God has freely given to all who would receive it. This beggar has crossed paths with two men who give him something greater than charity and greater than any earthly government.

8 And leaping up, he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him walking and praising God, 10 and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him. Acts 3:8-10 ESV

God used Peter and John in a random interaction to change this beggar’s life for the better. What about this divine appointment from Peter and John’s perspective? This beggar now healed provided attention and an immediate platform for them to preach Christ to the temple worshipers. How great is that? Read what happened next.

And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them, 2 greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening. 4 But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand. Acts 4:1-4 ESV

Peter and John were able to share Jesus to a large crowd many of whom believed in the message from God. But the disciples were also thrown into prison that night. Do you think Peter regretted the pain this beggar caused him? It was not the beggar’s fault but the outcome remained that a night in prison was the result this miraculous act.  Whatever hurt Peter and John received in their service to God seemed like nothing because they were excited, emboldened, and grateful for the opportunity to heal this beggar in spite of the night in prison.

18 So they called them and charged them not to speak or teach at all in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you rather than to God, you must judge, 20 for we cannot but speak of what we have seen and heard.” 21 And when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people, for all were praising God for what had happened. 22 For the man on whom this sign of healing was performed was more than forty years old. Acts 4:18:22 ESV

Divine appointments from God are available each day. Will you be the beggar or the disciple today? Your path may have already crossed with someone that changed everything. That beggar who was healed was a catalyst that saved thousands of people. If God changed your life would God be glorified and would others be saved? Are your prayers for blessings from God for selfish reasons or that God would be glorified? What about the other side of the perspective? Do you want to serve God if there is a downside that the world would be so angry that it might cost you freedom or friends?

This life is short. Healing all the beggars or ending poverty is not God’s purpose at the moment. God’s purpose is to bring glory to himself that we his children might be saved. War, death, famine, evil, hunger, and sin will be removed when Christ returns. However right now God’s divine plan and purpose is to call sinners to repentance for eternal salvation. Would you slow down to engage with others for God’s glory and blessing?

If you enjoyed this then click the like button, leave a comment, or ask a question! More on this topic of healing from the Gospel of John: Jesus does Heal for God’s Glory