Divine Donor Appointments

23 May Divine Donor Appointments

Jesus gave Peter and John some unusual instructions to make preparation for what would be the Last Supper. “As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, and say to the owner of the house, ‘The Teacher asks: Where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?’ He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.” “They left and found things just as Jesus had told them” (Luke 22:10-13a).

What intrigue. This reads like a spy novel. Enter the city. Meet a servant carrying a jar of water. Follow him to the house that he enters. Speak to the owner of the house. It’s like Jesus just gives Peter and John clues to follow and they followed the Spirit one step at a time.

God has a perfect plan for our lives and ministries and has everything worked out—even the smallest details. We think our success depends upon us, but it really depends upon how well we follow the Spirit’s leading. Each step of obedience Peter and John took was critical.

1. This task required action. By faith they had to leave Bethany and enter Jerusalem. You’ve got to get out of your office and go meet people.
2. God had prepared a stranger carrying a water pot to meet them. How many dozens of people were carrying water pots? How would they find the right one? They had to rely on the Spirit’s prompting to identify this person. Every connection you make is important.
3. They had faith to follow him. The relationships you are currently cultivating might lead to a gift, or they might lead to another prospective donor.
4. When they arrived, they shared the Teacher’s request with the owner. When you engage donors you have to ask for their help.

Peter and John obeyed every part of Jesus’ instruction and things turned out exactly as Jesus said.

Identifying, cultivating and soliciting major donors depends upon the Spirit’s leading. How do we sort our donor list to decide whom to follow? Will this donor give or will he open a door to another donor? What gift should we ask from a donor? How will the donor respond? We must work smart and hard, but this story reminds us that Jesus has a perfect plan and will guide us one step at time.

We shouldn’t be surprised when a major donor says “yes” because we are on a mission for Jesus. He wants to provide for your ministry and will lead you to people who can help. Instead of stressing out over finding the right donor, take comfort that Jesus knows exactly what your ministry needs and has a plan to meet your needs. Learn to approach donor development with a sense of awe and wonder about the Spirit’s leading.

Ask God to schedule some divine appointments for you this week.