Charles H. Spurgeon was used by God to do great things for His kingdom and is known as “The Prince of Preachers” due to the thousands of sermons and dozens of books he wrote. What I always find interesting is how Charles came to know the Lord. Many refer to the encounter as almost an “accident” because of the way it happened. A raging blizzard forced Charles to seek refuge in a chapel, and it was there that he heard the gospel message and came to know Jesus as his Lord and Savior. Was it by accident? I think not.

I remember as a young girl I would accompany my mom to church, but my dad did not attend as he had drifted away from the Lord at that time. It was not until a Pastor from a local church happened to walk by our house one afternoon and found my dad working in the yard that my dad started to attend church again and recommitted his life to the Lord. Was it by accident that this Pastor walked by at that precise moment? Not at all. Since that time my dad dedicated his life to ministry; first on the mission field and then as a Pastor.

With God there are no accidents. Everything has a plan and a purpose. He has a perfect time for everything, including our salvation. God knows our heart and chooses the exact time when we will be ready to respond to His gospel message and commit our lives to Him. Once we do this, God can unfold His perfect plan in our lives to further His work here on earth. The question is… Are we allowing God to do His work in us? Are we willing to surrender our lives to God and be used for His plan and purpose?

If you have never accepted the gift of forgiveness and eternal life through Jesus Christ, could this be the time God has chosen for you? Will you choose to surrender your life to Him and be used by Him? God can and will do great things through us, but we must allow Him to do so by submitting to His will and committing our lives to Him daily.

As God’s word says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”²

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, thank you for the gift of Salvation through Jesus Christ. I choose to open my heart to you and commit my life to be used for your glory. Your ways are higher than my ways and your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. I choose to surrender to your will. Please fulfill your plan and purpose in me. Here I am. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. In Jesus’ name. Amen.”

1.        Isaiah 55:8-9 (NIV).

2.       2 Corinthians 6:2b (NIV).