My last story, ‘And he was seen – Part 1,’ was about a young man who was at the end of his dance training in an elite facility. He felt hidden. He felt unseen by those in authority, and in auditions, etc. One night I felt God ask me to step out and pray for him. In doing so, I declared it was his time to be seen, to shine, and for the doors of his destiny to open. Shortly after, he was ‘seen,’ and offered a great contract in a British company.

From this encounter forth, God continued to be busy in this young man’s life. I saw him a while later, and he updated me with all the amazing things that kept occurring in his life. He was so moved he gave me permission to write a further story outlining what else had happened so far.

Soon after the first encounter, the director of a great British dance company contacted him personally and offered him a job. The start date for this job was a little too early, and would not have allowed the young man to complete his training and qualifications. So we prayed for favour as he wrote to the director, hoping to negotiate a later start date. In response to his email, the director offered a later start date, but this new date was a little too late, so we prayed again.

We asked that the job start earlier, and for the contracts to come forthwith. A subsequent offer came with an earlier start date. Amazed and thrilled, the dates were perfect. He had time to travel, and he had time to settle in. It was simply perfect.

Unbeknown to him, I also asked God that a major Australian company would see him and that he would have opportunities to shine. He had shared with me that the Australian hierarchy seemed to overlook him, so I had cheekily asked God for an Aussie revealing.

I saw him again at a later date. He was looking tired, but happy. He said that the director of the Australian company had given him opportunities to dance with the touring company. The roles offered were unexpected, but very welcome. He explained that the director had recognised particular gifts in him for a few roles and gave him the roles in their touring arm of the company. It was an answer to my private prayers. It was his chance to shine in the Aussie scene, and he did!

His story delighted me, and I fessed up that I had been praying for him. I gently encouraged him to rest, and he allowed me to pray for a deep refreshing as he came into this current season of exams and finalisation of his education.

Unexpectedly, I saw him yet again.

I greeted him and asked how he was. To my absolute delight, he told me that another great Australian company had offered him a contract, as had a major New Zealand company.

My further prayers answered more than even I had hoped or believed for!

‘I’m still going to the UK,’ he said. ‘It feels right in my heart.’

‘I am so pleased for you,’ I said. ‘When God opened those doors, He really opened those doors!’

He laughed, agreeing with me.

With the year-end coming, I asked when his exams were. I told him I would continue to pray for him. I said it would be lovely if he kept me occasionally updated by email. He promised he would, but I know a young man travelling through Europe would be unlikely to remember such a promise.

‘You’re on a wonderful journey,’ I said. ‘And a very good God loves you.’

‘I don’t know what that looks like. I don’t have a grid for all of this,’ he said.

I explained it was ok for him not to be too sure. It was a journey of discovery and God was pursuing him. All he needed to do was pray, ask for God’s guidance about anything, and God would respond. I explained that there would be a quiet assurance that he would feel about the right decisions and choices.

‘One way to know is that you will be at peace with the decision. It will sit right in your heart,’ I said paraphrasing Col 3:15.*

‘As a Christian, I believe I know what happened. I know who asked me to pray for you that first time. But this is your journey with God. I’m happy to answer questions you have to the best of my ability, but this is your journey, and no-one could or should force the issue.’

I then briefly told him about a friend who was deeply afraid of the Christian faith and who had, over a 3-4 year journey, discovered the Christian God for herself. I explained she was now a worship leader in her local church. It was her journey with God that led her to that place, and so too it would be his journey with God.

As many of you will know, a journey with God is not a single encounter, but a life journey, a continuous coming deeper into a relationship with a loving God. So, I trust that this young man’s encounter with a loving Father will continue. It’s my hope that he reaches out to God for himself. I hope he can establish a grid for what happened to him, as he comes to know that God thoroughly and absolutely adores him for him, just as he is.

This series of encounters was some time ago now, but still I trust, but still I hope, that wherever he is, he will continue to discover that, without a doubt…

God is Good!

* Let the peace of Christ [the inner calm of one who walks daily with Him] be the controlling factor in your hearts [deciding and settling questions that arise]. To this peace indeed you were called as members in one body [of believers]. And be thankful [to God always]. (Colossians 3:15) See link here.

© Beth Kennedy 2022