Editor’s Note: The AMI QT devotionals for January 23-4 are provided by Christine Li.  Christine graduated from University of Pennsylvania and currently lives and works in New York City.  She attends Remnant Church in Manhattan.

Devotional Thoughts for Today

John 6:8-9,11

“Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, ’Here is a boy with five small barley loves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?’ … Jesus then took the loaves, gave thanks, and distributed to those who were seated as much as they wanted. He did the same with the fish.”

I am sure all of us have been delivered from trouble unexpectedly before. Maybe you forget your calculator for an exam but someone shows up with an extra one. Or maybe you are running late to the train station and a friend happens to drive by and gets you there speedily. Just as glad as you are that someone saved, it’s likely that the other person is even happier to have been in the right place at the right time.

This boy here probably felt his good fortune. He just so happened to plan on listening to Jesus that day, he just so happened to be able to procure a little food beforehand, and he happened to be close enough to the disciples to show and give them the food, which was the fuel for a miracle before his eyes.

When similar things happen to us, we often think of those events as happy coincidence. But the truth is that God, the director of our lives, has deliberately put us in places and situations to be used. What seems to miraculously come into place is actually the result of His exact and perfect planning. We are, by His will, always exactly where He wants us to be.

Do you really believe that you are exactly where He wants you to be? Do you sense purpose in the gifts you have received, the friendships He has given you, or even the path you walk from building to building each day? Or are you completely unaware that He might have a role for you to play in blessing others?

God has planned all things carefully for His purposes; there are no accidents for where we are and what we will do. Let’s ask Him to help us see past the monotony of our schedules and to become more aware of His plans. Let us ask Him to show us the individual roles He has for us so that we can approach the coming week with clarity and renewed purpose.

Prayer: Father, thank You for ordaining all of my steps and my path. Even if I do not know where I am headed and what Your plans are for me, I trust that they are good. Help me to be sensitive to Your spirit and see the work that You are doing. Give me a heart that is available so that, on Your cue, I can be used by You whenever, wherever.

Bible Reading for Today: Genesis 20