I don’t normally have theological discussions in the Walmart parking lot. But on this particular occasion, I ran into (not literally) a friend, Margaret. We had known each other for a few years through our church, and she had recently graduated from seminary. Looking and listening for her first place of ministry was proving to be challenging. As we talked, a verse came to mind that had been very helpful to me when my husband was awaiting his first “call” to a church.
In our case, Paul was about to graduate from seminary after three years. It was springtime, and we had to move out of our duplex on the campus in a few weeks. We had no clue where we were going, and I was concerned. I was in a Bible Study Fellowship class, and around this time the teaching leader referred to II Corinthians 2:14.
“But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him.”
She vividly described Christ, dressed in purple (a sign of royalty), riding atop a white horse in an incredible procession. Picturing this and seeing myself following Jesus was very comforting to me. I knew that when the time was right, he would lead us to where he wanted us to serve.
As I described this to Margaret, I could see peace and relief come across her face. She knew he was leading her, and she felt our encounter was what he had used to reassure her. She went on to serve at a church in California, but we had connections that enabled us to see one another every now and then. Whenever I saw her, we always talked about our divine meeting.
Are you in Christ’s triumphal procession? He will lead you, too. Watch and listen for him! And remember he can use us anywhere, anytime.
Even in the Walmart parking lot.
Pam Means
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