God can take any situation and bring people closer to him. Two people can walk down different paths and yet end up going in the same direction. I have witnessed this first hand. In the last year I have had the privilege of seeing two people I know grow closer to God. Although they took different routes, they have both ended up with a much stronger relationship with Him.
I have a friend who was struggling with who they are and Gods plan for their life. After much contemplation and prayer they left home to go get some biblical training through an intense short term program. The intent was to grow closer to God, find identity in him and discern his plan for their life. During the time they spent at the training campus they were required to have a specific schedule including listening to messages, bible reading, quiet/prayer times and restrictions and other requirements. Although this type of training isn’t for everyone it has yielded a more mature believer who is now a strong and growing child of God. A change when they returned from this experience was apparent before they said a word to me but talking with them has shown me just how much they have grown. Although this may seem like the ideal route for a lot of people it is not always the case. Sometimes people grow closest to God when they are at their worst.
I have another friend who has been going through a struggle, although not with their identity and I don’t think that Gods plan was what they were after when this time of growth began. It started with making a mistake that is, unfortunately, made all too often. Because of the choices made, they lost a relationship that caused a severe time of sorrow in their life. But God can take our mistakes and use them to draw us close to himself. That is exactly what He has been doing. God sent an ex-pastor to work alongside them during that time. He was able to share his story of family trouble and pray over my friend during the short time they worked together. The combination of the hurt my friend was going through, this man’s friendship and the support of family caused them to cry out to God for healing and restoration. Since that time God has shown his power of restoration and provision in ways that could only come from him and my friend has been learning to trust God in other areas of life. I recently met with them to grab a burger and the change in them was immediately noticeable, both in their presence and the conversation we had.
A few verses come to mind as I think about these two friends and the paths that they are walking down. I can see that although they have taken different routes they are headed in the same direction of knowing and trusting God.
Proverbs 8:17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Matthew 7:7-8 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened”.
2 Samuel 22:7 “In my distress I called to the Lord; I called out to my God. From his temple he heard my voice; my cry came to his ears”.
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.