by Tammy Phillips
December 1, 2024
“I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalm 32:8 (NLT)
It is on the pathway of life that our lives are changed, and we can affect the lives of others.
Recently, I attended two different events, a fundraiser, and a wedding. It was at these events I became aware of the power of the encounter. It is in these moments in time that can and do change the trajectory of our lives.
At the fundraiser, a speaker was delivering his passionate plea as to why we should support his cause. While he spoke, I scanned the room to see if others were as moved as I. My sweep came to an abrupt halt upon one woman’s face. She looked like a sulking bullfrog who appeared to be mad at the impassioned presenter. Perhaps, secretly she was. I do not know. I do know that her face made me sit up straight chair and paint on a broad smile. I did not want anyone to feel the same way she had made me feel that morning. She changed my day and did not even know it. We could all do the same with a smile or a kind gesture, right?
At the wedding, I ran into an old friend, Avery Dale. We sat a small table at the reception chit chatting. We were talking about her late husband, Fred, who had been a high school friend of my husbands. In a light bulb moment, I realized the power of the encounter. I shared with her that If it had not been for Fred, we would not even BE sitting at this table at this wedding.
Fourteen years earlier, we had moved to Memphis. My husband was there working before our move and ran into Fred at a restaurant parking lot. From a brief conversation they had, our lives changed forever. Fred introduced my husband to the school his son was attending at the time. Consequently, it would become the same school that my son, Brayden, would finish his high school career. It was at that school where he would become friends with Fred’s son, Alex and played on the same football team. It was the place where he would meet his lifelong, best friends including Nick, whose wedding we were attending. (My son was his best man and Alex a groomsman.) It was at Memphis University School where Brayden’s drive led him to a high school internship for his future employer and ultimately, it determined his career path. It was also in Memphis through mutual work friends that Brayden would meet his wife. If it had not been for the brief encounter with Fred and his kindness, none of the above would have been possible, nor would we have been sitting at the wedding party chatting.
The power of the encounter with Jesus has changed my life. Most significantly, it has moved from a place of fear, guilt, and shame to a life of faith, excellence, and freedom. Jesus changed the life of many he came in contact with:
In John 4: A Samaritan woman who had five husbands and was living with a man, met Jesus at Jacob’s well. She was living in sexual sin and was saved because Jesus took the time to detour through her city. He told her of all the things she had done in her life and offered her a change, a drink of the living water, Himself. Also, he broke down the race barrier because Jews and Samarians did not chat.
In Mark 10: Blind Bartimaeus called out to Jesus. Jesus stopped on his journey and asked Bart what he wanted. Bart asked to receive his sight. Jesus answered, “Your faith has made you well, go.” Bart went from a beggar on the side of the road to a follower of Jesus.
In Luke 19: Zacchaeus, a short, rich, hated, corrupt tax collector was called out of a tree to meet Jesus. After their encounter, they went to Zach’s house had a little dinner. Zacchaeus repented of his sins and promised restoration of anything he had stolen. Jesus promised him salvation.
In Acts 9: Saul was a zealous Pharisee who persecuted and murdered Christians. He was on his way to threaten and kill more disciples when a light suddenly blinded him. Jesus appeared to him, chose him, and transformed his heart. Saul became one of the most influential apostles to spread the gospel through the world.
Furthermore, in John 14:12-14, Jesus empowered us who believe to do GREATER WORKS than he did by asking in His name. Peter who denied Jesus three times and who cut off a soldiers ear, received forgiveness, power and authority from Jesus to do the greater things. In Acts 3, in Jesus name Peter commanded the lame man at the Gate Beautiful to rise up and walk. He did. Talk about the power of the encounter!
We are the hands and feet of Jesus on the earth at this time. We are to go where he says go and do what he says do. We are His ambassadors (2 Cor 5:20). We have been given the power of the encounter to change the course of people’s day, week, year, and life. Follower of Christ…
I enCOURAGE you to use the power of your face, the authority of your words, and your actions to change other’s days and point them to Jesus. You have been given superpowers to be a rescue hero in His kingdom. We can be day makers and life changers in Him. Are you using the power of the encounter to change others lives?
Complete in Him 