We Did Not Meet by Chance

When I was young, I struggled with being social and outgoing. I sit and wait around until someone would come and play with me. As I grew older, that started changing. As I got more involved in church activities, Christ starting removing timidity and all shyness from my life.

From the moment I opened my life to Christ, the transformation in my life began. Just the other day I, as I prayed before starting my devotional I was giving thanks to God for surrounding me with such amazing people. I have made close friends, and the pastor's family has taken me in as their daughter. Everything is in place, and God has placed me exactly where I am suppose to be.

The most beautiful thing that I just cannot wrap my head around is how Christians can come together without even knowing each other and just pour out their love to complete strangers. After Sunday school class, one of the youth came up to me and invited me to have lunch with her sister and a friend. I agreed to go with them and time flew! We all talked and shared stories of what God was doing in our lives.

After that, the girl that invited me to lunch asked if I wanted to take a walk up the mountain to her land and help them bring back some food for their animals. I agreed. I had no idea what an impact a simple walk in the mountains would have in our lives until she spoke. She told me that what I spoke during Sunday school was speaking directly to her heart.

She poured out her problems, her dreams, and her life to me. She said, "It is not easy for me to open up with anyone. The truth is that I do not really have Christian friends that I can trust, but I feel like I can talk to you and tell you everything. I sense I can trust you." "This is all from God," I said to her, "what I spoke during class was what God put in my heart. It was He who spoke to you." She smiled. I offered to do a Bible study with her in order to help her and encourage her in her spiritual walk. She was more than delighted to accept. She has open her home to me. It is no coincidence; it did not happen by chance. The God I serve is one with a purpose and a plan for all.

I am not the same person I was when I came to Christ. I am not the same person I was 4 years ago. To tell you the truth, I'm not the same person I was 3 weeks ago. God is working in my life daily, he is renewing my mind constantly, and he is replacing all the filth and broken parts of my life with unending love for people that I do not even know.

Only our living God can bring healing and transformation to a broken world and change a life to bring glory to Himself. Please keep on praying for this program and this church. May our lives be full of intentionality like our Father. May every single word that comes out of our mouth bring life to those we come into contact. Thank you Very much for your prayers and support! May God bless you! Praise be to the Father because He knows all and cares for all!

By: Janet Ruiz University of Texas- Pan American