Divine Encounters: Moments of Faith and Revelation
How God Spoke to Me Through Unexpected Messengers
Throughout my life, I've experienced moments that I believe were direct encounters with God. These instances have reinforced my faith and shown me that God can speak through people in the most unexpected ways. Here, I share two profound experiences that have shaped my spiritual journey.
A Message in Tongues
Back in the 90s, I led a Bible study group at work. We met once a week during lunch to study the Bible, pray, and sometimes listen to music. On one particular day, as we celebrated Easter, something extraordinary happened. During our prayer session, a woman in our group began speaking in tongues. I'll admit, I've never been a fan of speaking in tongues, perhaps because I don't understand it. In that moment, I was ready to leave, sitting conveniently by the door, contemplating a quiet exit.
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However, my understanding is that when someone speaks in tongues, there should be an interpretation. When she finished, she turned to me and spoke as though God was addressing me directly. That week, I had been struggling with a personal issue, feeling overwhelmed and lost. She looked at me and said, "Richard, I know you're struggling, but I'm with you and I will take care of it. Just trust in me." She continued, "I am very happy with you leading this group. You're doing a great job and keep doing what you're doing."
I was stunned. Her words pierced through my doubts and fears, and I broke down in tears. I shared my struggles with the group, and they rallied around me, offering support and encouragement. It was a moment of divine intervention that I will never forget.
An Unexpected Encounter
Another significant encounter occurred when I was grappling with questions about my salvation. I wondered if I was good enough to be a Christian and if I would ever reach heaven. These thoughts weighed heavily on me as I went to pick up a pizza one day. The pizza joint was in a neighborhood where I knew some of the homeless people, and I often tried to help them.
As I sat in my car, a man suddenly grabbed the door before it shut. Startled, I feared I was being robbed. But instead, he looked at me and said, "God loves you. You should never have to worry about your salvation because He's with you and He knows the pain you're going through." I was speechless. How did this man know about my inner turmoil? After that day, I never saw him again. He wasn't among the usual homeless people in the area. It was as if he appeared just to deliver that message.
Reflecting on Divine Communication
These experiences have led me to wonder about the ways God communicates with us. Could it be through a movie, a TV show, music, or interactions with strangers? We often talk about guardian angels, and perhaps they are more present in our lives than we realize. Now, I pay closer attention to the events around me, believing that nothing happens by chance. There is always a reason, a message waiting to be heard.
The next time you find yourself in an unusual situation, pause and ask yourself: Is God trying to communicate with me?