"Divine Appointments" by Dr. Kenneth Sullivan Jr. (10/05/2025)

Divine Appointments: How God Orchestrates Our Lives

Have you ever experienced a chance encounter that felt like it was meant to be? A moment where the pieces of life's puzzle seemed to fall perfectly into place? These are what we might call "divine appointments" - moments orchestrated by God to fulfill His greater purpose in our lives and the lives of others.

The concept of divine appointments is beautifully illustrated in the story of Peter and Cornelius from Acts 10. Here we see two men, separated by culture, background, and about 30 miles, brought together by God's intricate planning. Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and Peter, a Jewish apostle, were unlikely candidates for a meaningful interaction. Yet God had other plans.

While praying, Cornelius receives a vision directing him to send for Peter. Simultaneously, Peter experiences a perplexing vision about eating foods traditionally considered unclean. As Peter ponders this vision, Cornelius' men arrive at his door. The timing is impeccable, demonstrating God's precise orchestration of events.

This story reminds us that God doesn't work in vague generalizations. He orchestrates specific moments, precise conversations, and exact encounters. That "chance" meeting with a stranger who provided crucial information, or that unexpected delay that led to a life-changing conversation - these are not mere coincidences. They are appointments scheduled by God, often long before we ever arrive at the scene.

Consider the story of Pastor Francis Chan and his Uber driver. Prompted by the Holy Spirit to witness to the driver, Chan initially hesitated. However, upon obeying this prompting, he discovered the driver had been praying daily for six months for someone to tell him about God. This divine appointment changed the driver's life forever.

These stories challenge us to be more attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. How often do we brush off that nagging feeling to reach out to someone or take a different route home? Could these be divine appointments we're missing?

But divine appointments often require us to step out of our comfort zones. Peter had to overcome deeply ingrained cultural and religious prejudices to visit Cornelius' home. God was doing something new - breaking down walls between Jews and Gentiles - and Peter needed to be flexible enough to participate in this new work.

This brings us to an important point: before God does something significant in our lives, He often starts by stretching us. Jesus said, "No one puts new wine into old wineskins." (Mark 2:22) God is looking for people who are flexible, willing to stretch, and not narrow-minded. He's seeking individuals who understand that the world is bigger than their zip code, neighborhood, or nation.

Sometimes, this stretching involves setting aside our pride and prejudices. Peter had to overcome his hesitation about associating with Gentiles. Similarly, we might need to let go of preconceived notions or biases that prevent us from fully embracing God's plan for our lives.

Moreover, divine appointments often involve mutual blessing. In the case of Peter and Cornelius, both had something the other needed. Cornelius received spiritual insight from Peter, while Peter's horizons were broadened by this encounter with Gentiles. This reminds us that God's blessings often come through unexpected sources. The next door God opens for you might come through a stranger you never thought would bless your life.

It's crucial to remember that our identity in Christ should always come before our cultural or national identities. As the apostle Paul wrote, "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:28) We must be careful not to let our cultural affiliations overshadow our primary identity as followers of Christ.

The story of Peter and Cornelius also demonstrates the power of obedience. When they followed God's promptings, despite their initial hesitations, they witnessed a powerful move of the Holy Spirit. The Gentiles in Cornelius' household received the Holy Spirit and spoke in tongues, a clear sign to Peter that God was indeed working among the Gentiles.

This event was pivotal in the early church, leading to the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) where important decisions were made about including Gentiles in the faith without requiring them to follow Jewish law. It shows how one act of obedience to a divine appointment can have far-reaching consequences.

As we reflect on these truths, let's challenge ourselves to be more open to divine appointments in our lives. Here are a few practical steps we can take:

1. Cultivate sensitivity to the Holy Spirit's promptings.
2. Be willing to step out of your comfort zone.
3. Look for God's hand in seemingly chance encounters.
4. Be open to blessings from unexpected sources.
5. Remember that your primary identity is in Christ.
6. Obey God's leadings, even when they don't make sense at first.

Remember, God often does more than we could ever expect. He can take the most unlikely situations and use them for His glory. As the prophet Isaiah declared, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9)

So the next time you feel a nudge from the Holy Spirit or find yourself in an unexpected situation, pause and consider: Could this be a divine appointment? God may be orchestrating something far greater than you can imagine. Be open, be willing, and watch in awe as God works in and through your life in ways you never thought possible.