No matter how detailed our plans can be, sometimes there's another plan at work. And when it seems that all is lost, a more powerful experience - one beyond what was planned for - results.
Such was the case on an excursion one day in Nicaragua, when a team of us went to Verbo Sur to provide CPR training, leadership encouragement, and vacation Bible school materials. Hours were invested into the planning, researching and acquiring materials, as well as laying out the logistics of our day.
When we arrived, our (team) plans were set: Have the staff complete a spiritual gifts inventory; part of the team scores the inventory while I do CPR training; reconvene to interpret the inventory; provide kid's materials.
One of my favorite authors, Erwin McManus, states in his book "Chasing Daylight," that history has an expiration date, and before that date, we have what he calls "divine moments" - moments when we have a choice to respond and take part in a potentially powerful moment that can determine the direction of life.
The thing is, it's up to us to respond and many of these potential moments come at inconvenient times. McManus contends that it's the inconvenient that carries more potential. When God has a divine moment ready, do we respond, or do we become frustrated with him and his timing, not even realizing the potential in that moment. (For more on this, I highly recommend this book! You'll probably hear more from me in the future on this as well as McManus has a way of drawing out adventurous faith)
Back at Verbo Sur, it appeared that our day's plans were falling apart. We listened to a lengthy but moving testimony from the pastor; observed side conversations on logistics for an upcoming party at the church; and to top it off, the spiritual gifts inventory didn't make sense to the staff. CPR training was OK, but cut short as the remainder of the team scrambled to plan how to proceed.
Frustration set in, but we concealed it well, remaining the flexible guests that we were.
Then an amazing thing happened. When all seemed lost and terribly inconvenient, two of our team mates shared their testimony of their struggle with addiction; their devoted friends and family that never gave up on them; that anyone - anyone - could turn their life around.
As our team listened, we noticed several staff members crying, later saying that they've been burdened terribly by drug, alcohol, and violence problems in their neighborhood that were mightily discouraging. Apparently, the words of encouragement to remain faithful struck a nerve.
The staff told us that they believed we were sent by God at that time, in that place, to offer his comfort and encouragement.
As we parted, our team knew that we made new friends. We discovered new brothers and sisters in Christ that needed to be uplifted by kind and encouraging words and actions. All of us stood together to address a deeply serious problem in this neighborhood.
All of the power took place within the last half-hour of our time together. When all appeared lost to us, a divine moment was in the making and manifested itself before our eyes.
As we parted, we prayed together, thanking God for his presence and praying for strength, faith, and hope.
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