God's LinkedIn

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However, Peter stood outside near the gate. Then the other disciple (the one known to the high priest) came out and spoke to the woman stationed at the gate, and she brought Peter in.
-John 18:16

God has people in unexpected places.  God has people who can help us get in to where we want to go.  God has placed people who are allied with him, along your path.  God is in our futures, preparing the path with people who will be  helpful to us.

There are people around us who are waiting to be discovered by us.  God is  more involved with all the people around us than we usually ever realize.  We just have to be available to discover them.

God has people in our future who are strategically placed.  This is how my life has worked, even before I was born; because this is how my parents met.  They were introduced through a link in their networks.  The link was my grandma, my father's mom.  God's LinkedIn!  That is just the first of many stories I could relate about God putting people in my path.

I do not believe that God controls everything, but I do believe God is in control.  As David wrote:

The Lord is my shepherd. I lack nothing.
He lets me rest in grassy meadows; he leads me to restful waters; he keeps my soul alive.
He guides me in proper paths for the sake of his good name.

Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I fear no danger because you are with me.
Your rod and your staff— they protect me.

You set a table for me right in front of my enemies.
You bathe my head in oil; my cup is so full it spills over!
Yes, goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the Lord’s house as long as I live.

-Psalm 23

The Lord is our shepherd, taking care of us each step and leading us.

You and I carry gifts of God.  We just need a link to connect us to those who need the gift. 

Peter wanted to follow Jesus into a place that was off-limits to him.  It was not his territory, he was not a part of the web of people there, and he had just tried to kill someone who was part of that social web.  Peter was standing near the shut gate, outside looking in.

Then, something happened.  There was a person inside the gate, who was both a disciple of Jesus and who was known to the high priest, who was the boss, the one in control of that territory or jurisdiction.  That disciple knew the lady who controlled the gate and asked her to let Peter inside.

Scholars are divided as to who this mysterious disciple was, who was also known to the high priest and helped Peter get into the courtyard.  It could be John, Peter's close brother in the Lord, or it could be someone else like Nicodemus.  It could be someone else.  Whoever it was, this person had standing inside the gate, so that they could be a link for Peter, and get the gate opened.

I believe that God will surprise us with people he has ahead, on our paths, that will be links for us to get into where we are following Jesus to.