RESERVED SEATS

Recently, on the 27^th of May to be precise, an incidence happened that will linger in my memory for a long time to come. God used this experience to teach me a lesson about how He works all things out together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. My friend Dawn and I had planned to attend the induction ceremony of a friend of ours into the pastorate of the Baptist Union of Great Britain. This event was scheduled to take place during the London Baptist Assembly in session. The venue was the Central Hall, Westminster. There is a bus from where I live that travels straight to this venue.  It was the cheapest option and quickest too.

The programme starts at 7.00pm and all guests have been advised to be seated by 6.45pm. The journey takes only 40minutes from my home. My friend and I agreed to meet at the bus stop at 5.55pm so we can hop on the 6.o’clock bus and arrive venue in good time. Trust Dawn, being English, she rang me on the dot of 6.00pm already at the bus top. She saw the bus coming and was ringing to see if I was around the corner. My husband picked the phone as I was still in the bathroom. She was very angry because the entry tickets were with me. Stucked, she had to wait for me. She had every right to be angry. The idea to travel by bus was mine. She initially suggested driving but venue being at the city central, parking will be a major problem. To get me to be on time, she decided to leave the tickets with me. (She has always frowned at me and my African timing. I’ve always been late to appointments)

Earlier, a distressed neighbour of mine buzzed on my door at about 5.10pm that evening. Her eyes heavy with tears, my husband and I sat down, listened and prayed with her. She had just discovered that her teenage son had been smoking cannabis and had been involved in some strange stuffs. I couldn’t walk out on her because I needed to go out. I was running out of time but couldn’t figure what to do. Dawn couldn’t understand what my delay was all about. I was very late.

I got to the bus stop at about 6.30pm. Dawn held herself together very well but I could see anger written all over her. We said ‘hello’ but nothing more as I was cautious not to burst her fumes. We got to the venue at about 7.15pm. It was jam-packed full. Our tickets meant we were to sit at the first floor gallery, it was all taken over. No more seats. We could hear from the entrance lobby the powerful worship song being led by Noel Robinson. 

We were still waiting to figure out what to do when an usher came to us and asked ‘Have you ladies any seats yet?’ we said ‘No’. He said ‘Ok, if you’ll come with me please’. This usher took us right to the front, the reserved seats where the guest speakers were seated.  We suddenly realised we were sitting next to Dr.Tony Campollo, the special guest speaker from America. Our pastor friend whom we have gone to honour was several seats behind us. He and his wife were shocked to see us where we sat and wondered how we got there. They thought we were late and couldn’t come in.

Yes we were late, but God, Who alone understood the reason behind our lateness, went ahead of us and reserved us seats among the guests of honour. We had good view of the platform, comfy seats, and a good feel to it. Though delayed and got there late, God arranged the best seats for us. He sat us among the VIPs, gave us a good evening. Dawn later said to me ‘Shade, thank God you came late. ‘

Romans 8:28.

Ladies! I hope you have been encouraged by this testimony. God could be doing the same thing with your marital situation. Trust Him, He is able to work it out for your good. Wait for Him. Through Jesus, our Christ, we know that the Father is true. He is your peace as you wait.