“Set aside for you for this occasion…” (I Samuel 9:24)
God often uses some of the most insignificant events in our lives, as His children, to reveal His greater plan for us. 
He is definitely in the“Event Planning Business.” Many times, an ordinary day… a nominal job…a commonplace skill…or a normal routine can be forged by God’s hand into an extraordinary instrument for His special event (occasion.) Sometimes it appears to be a negative situation requiring some type of action. In I Samuel chapter nine, God used the occasion of lost donkeys to initiate Saul’s journey to Ramah. He also used the occasion of a sacrificial offering to expedite Samuel’s return to his hometown of Ramah. The two men collided by God’s plan, and Saul who came in search of lost donkeys, walked away as the anointed king of Israel.
Other times God uses tragic, even devastating events in our lives, as His children, to reveal His greater plan for us. How often do we find ourselves in the midst of something negative—wondering, confused, perplexed, distraught, when it seems so wrong for us. Only to find that God was using this occasion to get us to seek Him for direction…and that particular occasion then led to a totally different occasion…One where His plan and purpose was carried out.
When our oldest son, Daniel, died in an auto accident several years ago, we were hurled into a tsunami of emotions, perplexing questions, and gut-wrenching decisions. This tragedy forced us to make an ultimate decision of seeking God. To continue on our own to make sense of this loss OR choose to trust Him regardless. This decision allowed our shattered hearts to walk into His school of healing and trust. As a result, that horrific accident has proven to be the occasion God has used to teach me about His sovereignty and grace. The occasion which led to facilitating GriefShare groups for the past four years…one of the most amazing privileges of my life. The privilege of inviting other shattered hearts to enroll in God’s school of healing and trust.
What occasion are you in that God may be using to grow you for a yet future purpose?
Prayer: LORD, how many occasions have I found myself in that seemed so negative, and instead of seeking You, I have tried to fix it, plow through it, or just sat down and quit? Open the eyes of my heart that I might know the hope of Your calling on me; the inheritance and power You have already given. May I employ “this occasion” to lead me to You for direction. And then may I wait for the next occasion You have “already set aside” for me. (Ephesians 1:18)
Nancy
Thanks for sharing your story Nancy and giving us a close up view of the power of God’s grace when we truly do trust in His way. What a gift you’ve given many. To take this great sorrow and allow God to use it in service and ministry to others as made it all count for good.
God has me in a place of doing some extraordianry things. Extraordinary because they are new and uncharted for me. It would be easy to fear the future, but if I stay in the moment focused on Him – everything falls into place. It’s just like learning to walk on water, knowing that if I keep my eyes focused on Him, all things are possible. Praising God today for all that He has ‘already set aside’ for each of us.
Bless you.
Tami, “unchartered waters” are indeed God’s speciality and I am convinced He purposefully leads us into these deep waters….knowing full well we will either sink or swim depending on whether we will choose to focus on Him….regardless of……whatever! Stay true to your heart’s calling….exciting days are yet ahead!