Jesus Along The Way

This morning's study took me to the story of Peter and John who presented the crippled man with Christ and healed him (Acts 3:1-7).   I've always taken for granted the stories of Christ and His disciples meeting people on the way to someplace and those met were changed forever.  The prearranged appointment always seemed to be the focus of my attention.  Yet, in reality, the "chance" encounters brought the greatest change to people and their lives.  In the account sited above, Peter and John were on their way to the temple.  Surely that's the important part of the story.  But, no, the important part I am learning, is the encounter with the man crippled from birth who looked at Peter, saw Jesus, and was healed.

This perspective rocks my world.  My husband and I are "called" to Black Forest Academy.  We retired and now meet with prospective ministry partners, and make preparations to rent our home and store our belongings.  We have focus and purpose.  Yet in that focus I can miss "Jesus along the way."  I don't recognize that the chance encounter may be the very one Christ has for me.

On Tuesday I left for Bible study a few minutes early so I could drop off clothes at the cleaners.  As I pulled into the parking lot I spied an overflowing cart of belongings sitting next to a fast food restaurant.  Having packed a bag of food and socks just one week earlier, I knew that God's voice called me to that chance encounter.  I took the bag into the restaurant and found a middle-aged woman sitting at a table, alone.  My intention was to hand her the bag and leave so that I would arrive on time to Bible study.  As I handed her the bag she began talking to me, and I recognized my chance encounter as an appointment with Christ.  I was late to my study, but right on time for the appointment.

I wish I could say that she accepted Christ.  I wish I could say that she is no longer homeless.  I'm not certain that anything truly changed for her; only God knows.  For me the encounter solidified in my heart the joy of meeting Jesus along the way.  I want to keep my eyes open, now, to see those interruptions to my focus as opportunities to experience Christ and to reflect Christ to others.  I have many "appointments" along the way to Germany.  If I am listening, I won't miss a one!