I wonder whether, while you pull out your name for today, you have put yourself in the shoes of the person whose name is written on the paper. They have no idea that they are going to get loved on today! They think they are just living their lives as usual, but God has other plans. He put their name into your head when you prepared your name slips. And He knows that today is the day that you will love that person with the love that He has given you for that very purpose.
That person has no idea what is coming...
Throughout the New Testament we find stories of people who thought that they were going about their business, or thought they were encountering God on their own terms, but God had plans to blow their minds.
Think about Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-11. We read that he wanted to get a look at Jesus. He thought that he was just following his own curiosity and checking out the local celebrity of the hour. Little did he know that Jesus would stop at his treetop viewing post, invite himself for dinner, and change Zacchaeus' life, relationships and work ethic forever.
Think about the beggar at the Beautiful Gate in Acts 3:1-11. He thought at best he might get a coin from Peter and John, and would have seen a financial donation as a win. He wasn't thinking that these men would call upon the name of Jesus to bring healing to his legs, meaning that he would be able to live life in a way that he had never experienced or imagined would be possible.
The person on your name slip is not expecting an encounter with God today. But God is wanting an encounter with them. And that is where you come in.
Are you expecting to be part of the unexpected? Ask the Holy Spirit to fill you with love, anticipation and faith today. Keep your eyes and ears open and be ready to be guided by His promptings. And don't be afraid to ask God for big, unexpected things...
For the kids:
Choose one (or both!) of the stories above and read it together - especially if you can read it in a children's Bible with which they are familiar. Talk about how Zacchaeus or the beggar thought their day was going to turn out. Talk about how they felt after God turned up and changed their lives with a single encounter. Then pray together for the faith to expect the unexpected today and lift up the person on your name slip in prayer.
No comments:
Post a Comment