When lives converge

And who knows but that you have come . . . for such a time as this? —Esther 4:14

When Jesus asked the Samaritan woman at the well for a drink (John 4:4–26), His goal wasn’t to be served by her. Rather, He was orchestrating a meeting that would change the course of her life forever. Through His words and actions, He showed that He knew her story, that He empathised with her, and that He cared about her heart and her life. As a result, she would walk away from the encounter changed forever—all because Jesus walked into her story with a commitment to rewrite the ending. Likewise, when Jesus healed the lame, the lepers, and the blind, His goal wasn’t simply to restore physical wellness. When He fed the 5,000, His purpose

wasn’t just to meet a physical need.

All these meetings were more than mere incidents of caregiving—they were moments of convergence. As Jesus met them in their time of need, it gave Him the opportunity to share His compassion, intimacy, and the revelation of who He was and who His Father was. These moments would eventually lead to redemption in their lives, as they caught a glimpse of God’s love and mercy, realised their own sinfulness, and understood their need for His salvation. In His role as a caregiver, as in all things, Jesus was a redeemer. And that may be exactly what is happening in your life today. In your caregiving journey, God may be using you to reach out and redeem others through

the convergence of your life with theirs. Redemption begins when lives converge, as they did when Jesus reached out to the woman at the well.

As we int eract with the people we care for, we will start to see that we are all the same— broken and inadequate, in need of forgiveness and grace. When we care for others, we enter their lives and help to make God’s story of redemption real to them. And, in the process, our own hearts will be touched as well. As caregi vers, we often view our roles as doers, performing acts of service for those we minister to. But that is only an entry point for our journey. As we provide care for others, our lives will converge, allowing us to share intimacy, empathy, and compassion. True caregiving is perhaps the most redemptive work we will ever do.

Dear Father, thank You for this opportunity to pour Your grace into the life of another. You have given me the joy of joining You in your plan of redemption; You have chosen me as Your partner in touching lives. Help me to see my work as a rich gift that will change the life of Your loved one. Give me the grace, wisdom, and provision that I need each day to carry out the tasks that lie ahead.