“We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us.The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.” ‭‭John‬ ‭9:4-5 (NLT) ‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

One evening earlier this spring, around 7 p.m., I got a text from a dear friend. Though we don’t talk much, she’s still like family to me.

I got a classic ask: “I’m getting headshots taken tomorrow morning at 9 a.m. Any chance you’re still a makeup pro and can help me in the morning?”

As a night owl, the only reason I was trying to wake up early was to go to the gym to bust these pandemic pounds. But just like family, I love my friend, and I am for her. And I knew I was being sent to her, even though she was far from on my schedule. So I met up with her at 8 a.m. and gave her a natural, fresh makeup look, and off she went feeling brand-new.

Jesus was also sent to someone in John chapter 9 — not to do a quick makeup job but to heal a blind man.

“As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth. ‘Rabbi,’ his disciples asked him, ‘why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?’

‘It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,’ Jesus answered. ‘This happened so the power of God could be seen in him. We must quickly carry out the tasks assigned us by the one who sent us. The night is coming, and then no one can work. But while I am here in the world, I am the light of the world.’” (John 9:1-5, NLT)

Jesus was just walking along when He saw this man. The Scriptures don’t tell us where Jesus was going or what He was planning to do that day. He was just walking by when His crew asked a question, and so Jesus made time to heal a man born blind by putting mud on his eyes and sending him to wash in the pool of Siloam.

Even though this task may not have been on His official schedule for the day, Jesus knew He was sent to this man to be a light in his life … and to literally let this man see the light for the first time in his entire life.

After my friend’s photo shoot, I checked in with her to see how it went. She was obsessed with how her makeup had looked and wanted to treat me to a fajita dinner the following week (good food is most definitely the way to my heart!).

That evening, we reconnected in a beautiful and needed way. As we caught up, she shared that she believes Jesus is an incredible historical figure who did some amazing things but not much else. I got to listen to her and communicate about my passion for reaching people who have been hurt by religion. I told her that I want to introduce them to Jesus without all the extra man-made stuff that’s been added to Him over the years. Now that was a Jesus she was curious about!

That’s when I knew why God had prompted her to text me about makeup. He was sending me to her. While I am definitely for her, Jesus is for her even more. Jesus makes time to meet those in need by sending His people.

The next time something comes up — unscheduled and maybe even inconvenient — perhaps it is something God is sending you to for His glory.

Father, thank You for all the people You have sent to serve me in the past. Help me keep my eyes open for the tasks You have assigned me to do, and may I do them quickly for Your glory. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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Visit Shala W. Graham's website to get a complete teaching on John 9 and to see three ways Jesus is for you when you’re in a tough situation. You can also find Shala on Instagram for more everyday reminders of God’s unlimited truths.

FOR DEEPER STUDY

Acts 17:27, “His purpose was for the nations to seek after God and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him—though he is not far from any one of us.” (NLT)

Has God sent you to someone to serve them for His glory? Have you said “yes” to that assignment yet, even if it’s unscheduled and inconvenient? Let us hear from you! Add your thoughts about today’s devotion in the comments.

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