Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)
Recently I finished my work day early and decided to head out to Goose Creek State Park, just a few miles up the road from where I live. My walk was so peaceful and serene as I took in the beauty of that late after noon sunlight glistening on the rippling waves of the Pamlico River. There’s nothing like talking to your Father and enjoying the beauty of His creation all at the same time. About 20 minutes into my walk I felt the strongest impression to catch the ferry. I pulled out my phone to Google the ferry schedule only to realizing that the ferry from Bayview would be pulling out soon, so I picked up the pace and headed back to my car. My GPS said I was 12 miles away, so I wasn’t even sure I would make it. Without pushing the speed limit too far, I headed that way just hoping I would get there in time.
On the drive, I kept wondering to myself if this was a God led excursion or just some random thought that had gone through my head. You see, I had been asking Him in the mornings to guide my every step and He had been doing just that. It seemed that especially since that had become the cry of my heart that He had been leading me from one Divine encounter to another, so I couldn’t help but think that He was leading me this time as well.
I made it just in the nick time and only seconds before the ferry was to pull away. In fact the crew had to let the gate up to allow me to drive on board. Getting out of my car I said to one of the crew, “I just made it.” To which he replied with a smile, “You sure did.”
So what was the ferry ride all about? Well, once I made my way to the upper deck and took a seat, I saw it. It was one of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen, which left me saying “Thank you” to Him over and over.
He reminded me of something that day. And that is, that if it hadn’t been for my instant obedience to His prompting, I would have missed that sunset. Now I’m not saying I would have never enjoyed the beauty of another sunset again but, I wouldn’t have enjoyed that one. By the time the 30-minute ferry ride ended twilight was setting in and that sunset, on that day, was gone forever.
Don’t miss life’s sunsets, or anything else God may be leading you to. You will never have that day, that moment, that friendship/relationship, or that Divine appointment again.