The Appointment
September 4
…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.
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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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