The
Appointment
…the Spirit of
truth…will guide you...
John 16:13
Intending to take about a half hour
break, Rich and Don began preparing a quick lunch on the narrow beach
just below the class III rapids they’d just navigated. Not their
regular putout, they’d pressed on down stream because Rich had felt
an urge to go a bit farther before stopping.
It was Labor Day weekend, and the river
was packed. As they watched, group after group of novice rafters
struggled to navigate this perilous stretch of Green River rapids.
Suddenly, a family of five rounded the bend and entered the gorge.
Inexperienced, they were unable to keep the bow of their raft headed
down-stream. As they hit the rapids the raft slammed against the
sheer granite wall and capsized, spilling everyone into the rushing
water. The young boy managed to grab onto a huge rock in the center
of the river, while dad got the two girls to shore. Mom, however, was
nowhere to be seen. Don, trained in river rescue, and Rich, a
S.W.A.T. Commander, responded immediately by launching their raft
into the lower section of the rapids, heading for the buffeting raft.
“I think I saw something near the
stern,” Rich hollered as they stroked against the current. As they
reached the wildly bouncing raft, training took over. Rich launched
himself into the now half submerged raft and crawled to the stern.
Looking over, he found the mother, with only her face above water,
struggling to hang on. Pulling her onto the raft, Rich paddled to
shore. Not long after, the boy was rescued from his perch on the
rock.
†
Many would call what happened destiny,
luck, or coincidence. Those who follow Jesus Christ call these
‘divine appointments’. Had Rich and Don not yielded to the
subtle urging to press on, that holiday weekend might have ended in
tragedy. Thankfully, Rich listened, and showed up for the divine
appointment.
God gives His Holy Spirit as a guide to
all who follow His Son. The Spirit, gently urges us, knowing when an
extra mile down-stream will make all the difference, then He leaves
the choice to follow up to us.
Prayer
“Help me to be sensitive
to Your urgings, Lord. Teach me to be discerning and obedient. In
Jesus’ Name, amen.”
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