Nothing beats a flood to connect with God
I landed in the middle of a flood in Jakarta that BBC News called deadly and chaotic. On Friday I had an early morning meeting with my friend David Meyer who was also in Jakarta for his mother's outreach that was taking place in an outdoor stadium. The rains were relentless.
At the lobby the lady announced to me that the taxi wait in front of my hotel was at least 15 minutes. With the flood and chaos of the city she announced that it should take me at least another 30 minutes to get there. I was clearly going to be late, very late to the point of not making the connection with David as he had a busy day.
But I knew God wanted me to go anyway. For whatever reason that I would find out if I just went. it's kinda like Moses asking God to give him a sign that He was sending him to free the Israelites and that he would succeed. I love God's response:
"And God said, 'I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. Exodus 3:12
The sign basically was when you get them out and are standing in front me, that's your sign. I don't think that was the answer Moses was expecting. Be careful when you ask God for signs.
I read that story the day before and decided to just step out of the hotel. As soon as I did the line that was supposed to be there was nowhere in sight. Don't know how it happened but it did. Within one minute a beautiful taxi was in front of me and I found myself in an empty street of Jakarta. I guess everyone thought they shouldn't go out that day. I decided to time the trip. I was there in 10 minutes plus a few seconds. Incredible.
I got to the lobby of the hotel 10 minutes early. Had a great time with Dave. David who is ever gracious chatted despite the stress of rehearsals and setting things up in the pouring rain. The weather bureau, the internet had declared the rains would not stop for the next 3 days. As we parted ways I sensed that I needed to send up a prayer for David's predicament. It was about 9:30.
By noon the rains have stopped and apart from a little drizzles here and there the last 3 days where clear skies and cool breezes. God must love whatever David and his Mom were doing in Jakarta. He answered our prayers.
God is indeed able. Our role is to trust and walk in faith despite what we hear, feel or see. Whatever you do connect with God everyday.
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