”... and he said to them “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” (Matthew 4:19)

    One of the privileges of being a singles minister is the opportunity I have to sit and visit with singles about events in their lives. Some are mundane, some are dramatic, but all of the events are interesting. Some time ago, a young man told me about his decision to move back to the small town in which he grew up. In a city like Austin, singles are very mobile and the job market keeps it this way. In any given year, someone may come to our church, become a valued part of the congregation, and then life events take him or her to other places.

    This young man told of his frustration in finding a suitable job during his time in Austin. He just never seemed to have any good opportunities and he never met anyone interesting who could help in his search for a good job. Finally, he realized that deep down, he really loved the city in which he grew up and decided to move back there. This decision gave him a lot of peace, so after some time together in prayer, I wished him well as he left.

    Oh, but there was one interesting person that he met. As he worked in the convenience store, someone came in and bought a Coke. The customer visited with my friend a moment, and then my friend shared his frustration in finding a good job. The customer then said, “You’re right! It can be tough. It was tough for me, but you can do a lot of things if you persist in your efforts and don’t give up.” My friend introduced himself, and as they shook hands, the customer said, “Pleased to meet you, I’m Michael Dell.”

    Dell is truly a giant in the computer industry. The company is the dominant supplier of computers to business, education, and government. Yet, not many years ago here in Austin, just off Highway 183, you could buy a computer out of the trunk of a car from Michael Dell himself! As they say, “The rest is history!”

    My friend truly did have a momentous meeting. What if he had handled it differently? What if he had responded differently? What if he had asked for a job?

“Pleased to meet you...”

    Now folks, we live in the real world. Perhaps nothing would have happened. Or perhaps he might have gotten hired and then laid off. We know things like that happen in the real world, don’t we? But my friend would probably like another shot at that momentous meeting!

    How about you? Have you had any meetings you’d deem “momentous”? Were you prepared? Were you ready for the opportunity? How about the most momentous meeting of all? Have you met Jesus?

    Jesus comes to us each day in the opportunities we have to serve Him. He comes to us in the story of his life in the four gospels — Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Jesus comes to us in times of worship and fellowship with other believers. Jesus comes to us in the people we meet who are needy. InMatthew 4, Simon and Andrew were casting their nets. Why? That was their job. They were fishermen. Like you and me, they were ordinary people doing ordinary things. Then they had a momentous meeting that changed their lives. The reason it changed their lives is that in their momentous meeting, they were open to the call to change their lives and follow Jesus by following him.

    There are many successful people in our world, but only one Jesus. Are you ready? Are you looking for opportunity? Are you ready for your momentous meeting with Jesus?

 

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©2003, Cary Branscum. Used by permission.

Title: "Momentous Meetings"
Author: Cary Branscum
Publication Date: August 29, 2003