Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
A few years back, on the way to Jerusalem, we stopped in Athens, Greece, for a few days. Leaving the airport at 2 a.m., it was difficult to find our flat in a neighborhood because the street signs were in another language. After two hours of wandering, we were lost. Those of us in the van began to pray because, for the first time, we realized what it meant to be reading “Greek.” We saw a young girl walking along the road, and we stopped to ask her directions. To our surprise, she said, “I’ll take you there,” and she hopped into our van uninvited. Within a short period of time, we arrived at our destination. Before she left, we told her who we were and asked her name. “My name is Gabrielle,” she said. Gabriel was known as the angel who gave directions and information in the Bible.
You can expect divine Providence for assistance at times in your life. For it is God who wills and works within you to accomplish His purposes (Philippians 2:13). Although you cannot spend your days looking for signs and angels (that would be highly unproductive), you can spend your day in an attitude of prayer looking to God for His guidance and direction. It is said that we “live our faith forward but see it played out in reverse.” One day we will look back and see all the times God was there helping and directing us to find our way. Do you pay attention to strangers that appear on your path? What chance encounters have you encountered? When you become aware of God’s hand of Providence, intentionally serving those within your reach will create tangible, recognizable God moments in the intersections of your life.
REFLECT TO CONNECT
- When was the last time you recognized God helping you in the middle of your workday?
- Did the “help” seem to emerge unexpectedly or follow a prayer request?
- If you knew God had your back every step of the way, what would you attempt to do or achieve?
God walks around dressed in plain clothes every day—do you recognize His providential fingerprints in your life when
He shows up?
