Because how can I not?
God has become so personal to me. He reveals Truth in His Word in everyday encounters- the grind of life. As I speak from my heart, I pray that my transparency and life stories will show an alive and active God who is relevant and involved in our lives today. Hear me out....
A man came into the MinneSoda Fountain while I was working and sat down. He was one of the people who live in the margins of life- often unnoticed and perhaps ignored by so many. He was about to have surgery and spoke of it with some trepidation.
Now, God had been challenging me to offer prayer to many whom I don’t know; however, this time... I just didn’t want to. He was different …. And, so I waited and waited… putting it off until he left. I knew I should have offered, but I didn’t. After he left, my head resonated with the scripture “do not show partiality.”[1] I had done just that. And, more convicting was “…anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.”[2] My stomach churned.
On my knees that night I asked God to forgive my willful defiance and -in a desire to truly change and live out His Word loving others- I asked for an opportunity to redeem myself in the future. The very next morning- as I’m running to work (literally, don’t ask)- I see the very same man chatting with the postman in front of our shop. Every reason not to stop whirled through my head. What would it be? Would I obey God…or not? I decided to surrender my will, and stopped. I reintroduced myself, apologized for not doing it earlier, and offered prayer. He accepted. I put my hand on his shoulder, and prayed. In that encounter God taught me about obedience; repentance; love; forgiveness; and grace. How can I be silent when He is so real?
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