I see “providence” as coming upon a fresh stream in the midst of a forest when you least expect it. The water flows cool and clear, the vegetation is sparkling green and the sunlight is unexpected. When you arrive you are surprised. You drink of the stream and you are refreshed.
Nothing you did prepared your for this refreshment.
Yesterday I was wondering about a talk I would give to our youth group. I’d been asked to give a devotional a few days previous. My schedule was such that I had no squeeze time. And yet, in my regular routine God squeezed in a chapter from a book I was reading. Exactly the content that would suit where our youth group has been venturing.
Then, during the day I was involved in a community committee. One of those efforts that are helpful but can be an expense of time for which the debit on your resources sometimes outweighs the credit to your purposes. The meetings went well. In fact, as a committee we congratulated ourselves on our accomplishment for the day.
But the greatest providence was on the way home – a drive with a portion of the committee to return to our hometown. In the car the conversation soon turned to God. Now, remember, this is a “non-church” group. We ranged from a discussion on the devotional for the youth to faith, belief, church, friends, backgrounds, God . . . In an hour’s time I had been refreshed!
Not expecting the opening in the forest, I just sat back and enjoyed! Sometimes I wonder if God puts experiences in our way just to make our jaws drop and our senses tingle. And then, we head back into the forest – intent on the path in front of us, and waiting to see what lies around the corner!