Serendipity Testimonies Part Two

Serendipities Testimonies: Part Two

Jeremiah 33:3
Call to me and I will answer you,
and will tell you
great and hidden things
that you have not known.

Every Serendipity

Every serendipity
delights us with yet
another lovely
gift of God’s grace . . .

Whether it be a
wonder in the heavens
or a mighty marvel
here on this earth . . .

God smiles on us with such
miraculous acts of
personal love to
revive our hearts . . .

as we seek Him while His loving
Spirit leads us towards
His face a perfect
picture of His grace.

John 8:12:
“I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness,
but will have the light of life.”
Matthew 5:14
“You are the light of the world.”

Darkness of the leaves at sunset cannot keep out the light; just as the morning light causes those same leaves to glow brilliant green, the light will find its way to show itself and illuminate His creation. As I watch, I’m reminded of His light; His presence with its warmth, illumination, comfort and love. Then I remember I’m to be that light to others! Let it be so.

Felicia Butler, Rincon, Georgia

It was sometime in 1984 in our closing days of what was then known as form four that I heard a voice clear and distinct and very perceptible: “Choose the present ATBU as your first choice for university.”

Not being previously used to such instructions, I did not know what exactly to make of it. What I do recall vividly is that I reasoned within my mind that I am from the southwestern part of Nigeria, born and raised in the North Central part of Nigeria in Jos. Would it not make more sense to study at the university level in my own part of the country?

So, when the JAMB exam form finally came out, rather than choosing according to what I now know to have been heavenly direction, I chose to be guided by my own thinking. If I remember correctly I wrote the University of Ibadan in as my first choice.

Then, while writing my JAMB exam I forgot to shade the space provided to show I was writing mathematics, my strongest subject. What was the effect of this mistake? I ended up scoring a zero in mathematics.

By divine providence one of our old students from Baptist High School, Jos was a senior lecturer at ATBU. He sent some remedial program forms to Rev. Dr. Musa Bawa who was our BHS, Jos, principal at the time.

About this time on a visit to BHS, while on my way out of the school premises the principal saw me and asked me to come to his office. There he handed me a copy of the remedial program form.

When I arrived at ATBU in late 1985 I quickly observed a number of reasons God had led me to this particular university. ATBU looked and felt like an extension of BHS Jos. There were roughly five hundred registered students at the university. Everyone knew everyone. There were several old students from BHS, Jos. More importantly, there was a vibrant Christian fellowship and a lively church. I even had the singular opportunity to experience discipleship led by one of our mathematics professor Dr. Kneppers who had come from the Netherlands.

God had clearly led me to this university. He had led me to His perfect place for me to continue growing in my faith.

Though this experience took place forty years ago, the lessons remain fresh as a reminder that the Lord always has His Good Way in store for me. As Isaiah 55:8 says, “8God’s ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts.”
Abraham Adetona, Abuja, Nigeria

Mike and Carolyn Tosan have been a loving part of our Nigerian family for many years now. I had the privilege of leading Mike in my first BHS, Jos disciple group, beginning upon my arrival at the school in April of 1982. Not long after that I taught Caroline in English class. Then, after Becky and I were married, their family and ours spent many wonderful hours sharing Christian fellowship. Bro. Mike, as we always called him, worked with me at BHS, Jos, and then at Hillcrest School, also in Jos. While he oversaw school finances, I served as an administrator, and I always leaned heavily on him for advice and prayer support. He also had the godly strength to say “No!” when I was about to make a bad decision financially. Through those years, Mike and Carolyn’s integrity and strength in their consistent witness has caused them to face mighty challenges. They have always stood on the Word of God, and upon the strength of our Lord through all the hard times; and God continues to be faithful. They know, as Genesis 50:20 proclaims, “God will use every such challenge for good. Theirs continues to be a life of blessed serendipities.”

Blessed Serendipities

Even as Eve
became a
serendipity
for Adam,
and as the
rainbow became
a vision
for Noah;
as the burning
bush burned
in the desert
for Moses
and as manna
appeared for
his hungry
people;
while David
became Israel’s
hero and
then their king—
as Jesus alive
again met
Mary in the
Garden—
God’s grace
showers us
with day-to-day
miracles.

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Serendipity Testimonies Part Two

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