Providential Conversations with Others Edify Our Spirit

When I pray for guidance and direction, I don’t always expect to receive it how I end up receiving it.

Prayer is a personal thing between us and the Father. There’s nothing wrong with corporate prayer, or group prayer, but there’s something so special about intimate prayer.

I prayed a few nights ago for some guidance from God.

It took a few days to receive an answer to that prayer.

The answer came from a new acquaintance of mine.

I’m sure we met for a reason. God places us exactly where we need to be to have the people that need to cross our path cross paths with us.

Proverbs 16:9 “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.”

I thanked him for treating me with kindness, because I see Christ in Him.

He told me what I needed when I needed to hear it. Like a wink from on high.

I have a confession to make.

When I came back to Christ many years ago, I left my friends behind because they weren’t serving my best interests. That’s not to say I’m better than anyone, or that I don’t pray for them and wish them well. It’s that unequally yoked relationships aren’t beneficial. In agrarian terms, unequally yoked oxen will kill each other.

While making music and playing shows was fun, I want nothing to do with the party lifestyle, the loose behavior, and the vainglory that comes with living for the world.

It feels like being in a relationship with a toxic person when your views and beliefs don’t align with theirs. Think of a grounded, practical person and a conspiracy theorist. Clash, they will, as Yoda would say.

I moved forward, making many mistakes along the way. And learning from those mistakes has taught me one thing. I’m not my past.

Because of my mistakes, I see the glory of God at work in my life.

This conversation I had was edifying to my spirit.

It’s like God knew I needed to hear it ‌then.

We talked about not being ashamed of Christ in a world set against His ways. He gave me counsel and iron sharpens iron. He reminded me that God is at work at all times, and the negative outcomes in our lives are ultimately for our benefit. My wife getting sick right now is another trial to face. My struggles with my medical condition are from the Father to strengthen me.

He reminded me that sometimes we have to wait for things, even if we really want it right now. Expectation brings forth burning, and a longing fulfilled is a tree of life. There’s so many things that need to be taken care of in the present, and tomorrow will worry about itself.

What kind of man would I be if I focused solely on tomorrow instead of the present? God cares about our journey. You can't become the person you're meant to be in the future if you don't learn from the present and be there for the people God blessed you with today.

But this moment further solidified my belief that God answers us when we need it.

Whether that means in two days, like this time, or in ten years.

I’m blessed to have had this conversation.

It reminded me to wait while living my life in the here and now. I will become the person God wants me to be, but I’m already enough today. God gives me my worth, not other people's opinions and thoughts.

God used Paul mightily, despite his background. He went from oppressing Christians to being the greatest apostle to the Gentiles the world had ever seen.

We make mistakes, and while we do our best to stay happy, sometimes the enemy comes in and makes us stop our progress.

I have confidence in who God wants me to be, and the people I meet show me He decides when and where to meet the people we need to become who we’re to be. Fortunately, God quickly answered this prayer.

But that doesn’t mean the things we want to happen always happen that fast. I’m grateful for the things He’s blessed me with today, and I stay grateful for the things further down the road.

We need to be kind to everyone, love like He loved, and realize we don’t get to schedule the times. That’s why He’s God and we’re not.

But you know what?

He'll send you precisely what you need when you need it. This time, it was quick.

And I’m grateful for that.

Don’t be afraid to edify others with your own wisdom as well.

Your words might be important to someone out there.

These words were important to me, closer to home.