As I headed to the airport Monday morning I felt the Lord preparing me for a divine appointment. I expected to meet someone in the airport or on the plane. However, after landing in San Diego without "bumping into" anyone I was a little disappointed, but figured maybe I was just wrong. After getting my rental car I decided to go for a jog along the bay, and on the way there I noticed many who were homeless. Again the Lord whispered, 'divine appointment'.
The moment I parked my rental car I was met by Keith. He walked with a bicycle that I imagine was strained to bear even his slight frame. His sandy hair was shaggy and sun bleached. His tanned skin did not come from sun bathing, and it's countless lines told the story of a man who had not recently made his home on the streets. Keith told me a brief story and asked if I could help him with a little money.
I don't usually mind doing this for someone in need but this time the Lord said no. I instead offered him some peanuts and a simple little cross that happened to be in my bag. He happily accepted both. We chatted for a few minutes, and I listened as he explained some past failed attempts to get off the streets. I then asked if I could pray for him, and he welcomed it.
The Lord must have touched Keith as we prayed because he seemed stunned and appreciative afterward. I then shared a very brief word I sensed the Lord speak. He was stunned once again. As we parted I knew that Keith had been touched deeply and personally, and his heart seemed open to more from God. I could have tried to lead him in a prayer of repentance and salvation, but at that point I knew I had done what the Lord had directed. Anything else would have been me pressing too hard.
I trust the Holy Spirit knows right where Keith is and will continue reaching out to draw him home. After all He's the one who had been whispering to me all day. He's the one the who led Keith to my space on the pier. And He's the one who sparked a light of wonder in Keith's eyes and heart. The Lord won't forget about him. I'm certain He'll continue sending others down Keith's street. One day I believe he'll answer the invitation to come home. Maybe you'll be the one The Lord sends? Will you listen and go? I pray that you do.
“Then the master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full. (Luke 14:23 NIV)
Sunday, August 3, 2014
Saturday, July 19, 2014
Calling Out From the Shadow
The young boy sitting next to me was flying on his own, and heading down to visit his dad in Florida. He was a bit hungry and clearly not prepared for the delays caused by the sub-zero temps experienced in the Midwest early this year. I offered him what few snacks I had and struck up some small talk revolving around his interests, most of which were sports. Eventually we were joined by the third and final passenger in our row, Chris. He slowly engaged in our conversation and seemed interested in also helping put this young traveler at ease. When our conversation turned toward faith, and Christ, Chris became much more involved.
Although he was not a believer himself, and leaned toward atheism, he was very curious and willing to consider the ideas of God having relationship with man. However, like many, he struggled with reconciling the reality of a holy God with a world of pain, loss, and injustice. As we chatted he eventually began sharing with me about his family. The more he did the more I gained the sense that his struggle embracing the reality of God and the truth of Jesus Christ came from his childhood home.
Chris seemed to have parents whom he knew loved and cared for him, but also pushed him to succeed and become more like his brother. Yet, he was very different from his brother and his parents had a difficult time accepting or celebrating his unique qualities. As I listened to him I thought I also heard the Lord whispering that much of Chris struggles were born of a deep sense of rejection. He explained that as he grew older he slowly began rejecting the things his parents, and brother embraced, like worldly success, higher education, and their Christian faith. However, he also found himself in a strange place of lacking his own identity.
As I think back now his challenge in accepting God, the loving Father, and Jesus Christ, the sinless and perfect Son of God, makes a lot of sense. How could he accept these truths without ever having felt accepted for who he is? He had failed to truly and fully receive this all his life, and now as a young man began believing himself to be a screw up. With such a belief of himself and his own family how could Chris reasonably expect to please a perfect God? Of course he could not (none of us can on our own). I believe though that Jesus met him in that plane so that for however brief a time he could experience true acceptance from not only a perfect and holy God, but one overflowing with grace and love. By the end of our trip I was quite surprised that Chris, the near atheist, allowed me to pray with and for him. From time to time he still comes to mind and I am moved to pray for him still, that he would come to know and embrace the love of Christ. I pray that all who find themselves in dark and shadowy places would hear the voice of Jesus calling to them and would turn toward Him, and home.
"God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6
Although he was not a believer himself, and leaned toward atheism, he was very curious and willing to consider the ideas of God having relationship with man. However, like many, he struggled with reconciling the reality of a holy God with a world of pain, loss, and injustice. As we chatted he eventually began sharing with me about his family. The more he did the more I gained the sense that his struggle embracing the reality of God and the truth of Jesus Christ came from his childhood home.
Chris seemed to have parents whom he knew loved and cared for him, but also pushed him to succeed and become more like his brother. Yet, he was very different from his brother and his parents had a difficult time accepting or celebrating his unique qualities. As I listened to him I thought I also heard the Lord whispering that much of Chris struggles were born of a deep sense of rejection. He explained that as he grew older he slowly began rejecting the things his parents, and brother embraced, like worldly success, higher education, and their Christian faith. However, he also found himself in a strange place of lacking his own identity.
As I think back now his challenge in accepting God, the loving Father, and Jesus Christ, the sinless and perfect Son of God, makes a lot of sense. How could he accept these truths without ever having felt accepted for who he is? He had failed to truly and fully receive this all his life, and now as a young man began believing himself to be a screw up. With such a belief of himself and his own family how could Chris reasonably expect to please a perfect God? Of course he could not (none of us can on our own). I believe though that Jesus met him in that plane so that for however brief a time he could experience true acceptance from not only a perfect and holy God, but one overflowing with grace and love. By the end of our trip I was quite surprised that Chris, the near atheist, allowed me to pray with and for him. From time to time he still comes to mind and I am moved to pray for him still, that he would come to know and embrace the love of Christ. I pray that all who find themselves in dark and shadowy places would hear the voice of Jesus calling to them and would turn toward Him, and home.
"God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land." Psalm 68:6
Monday, March 3, 2014
Jesus in the Aisle
There was a bit of commotion as Kathy struggled to make her carry-on fit into the overhead compartment. Although her appearance expressed that she was a woman in control she nevertheless seemed out of sorts and clearly flustered by the challenge, and if I recall correctly she was delaying the boarding for other passengers. Some, who were already seated, as well as the flight attendant, grew a touch irritated. Finally, the young flight attendant offered her assistance but did so with sarcastic humor. She apologized and blurted out that she was just trying to get to her mother who as in the hospital and dying.
In response the irritated passengers amazingly thought it helpful, as well as humorous, to offer to buy her a drink since they agreed she could really use one. The flight attendant persisted to try and relieve Kathy with his sarcasm, but she was utterly frazzled and not the sort to easily catch others’ wit. I was saddened by what I observed and upset at the lack of sensitivity she received. Yet, for the duration of that flight I found no opportunity to help her, other than through prayer.
After the plane touched down and the departing passengers were gone Kathy took the opportunity to take a seat closer to the front. She seemed intensely interested in not wasting a single moment on this frantic journey. She moved her carry-on bags to a more forward compartment and sat down in the aisle seat opposite me. I remember her face seeming pressed with anxiety and her eyes strained from the weight she bore. I knew the Lord had given me a chance to offer her a little much needed kindness.
I leaned into the aisle, gently touching her arm, and told her that I couldn’t help but over hear what she’d said about her mother being in the hospital and not doing well. I told her I was very sorry. As I spoke the lines in her forehead relaxed and her eyes seemed to brighten, if only ever so slightly. She thanked me for my concern and went on to explain that she had learned just the day before of her mother’s situation as well as the doctor’s expectation of there only being a few days before her mother passed. Her concern was intensified by the reality of the strained relationship the two of them had known for so many years. Kathy explained briefly of some of the difficulties between them, that she had long before forgiven her mother, ant that she loved her dearly. Yet, still they remained distant. Now she hoped only to get to the hospital in time to tell her how much she loved her and to say goodbye.
I immediately felt the Lord urging me to pray for her. I simply asked her if that would be alright. The offer had barely left my lips before she grabbed my hand and asked me to please pray. I gently held her hand and began, being interrupted briefly by the newly boarding passengers. I prayed for her peace and comfort, the opportunity for her to be reconciled with her mother, and for the presence of Christ to be with her. She couldn’t have been more thankful. Even if her words couldn’t quite communicate it her face and eyes did.
Certainly she was still upset but the Jesus met her there in the middle of that aisle. His presence gave her a sense of peace and hope that overcame her fear. She no longer seemed distraught and the light in her heart seemed restored. She then related that she too was a believer and had been for many years. As the conversation now shifted she seemed a bit lighter and no longer stuck in the waves of grief. The Lord had lifted her above them.
As I look back on this encounter I can see Christ at work. I recognize how my own similar past experiences gave me an ability to relate to this person who was a complete stranger. Then the Lord filled my heart with the compassion He longed to express to her. A simple gesture of kindness was all that He needed to remind her of His love and amazing strength, and to encourage her to take refuge in Him.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
In response the irritated passengers amazingly thought it helpful, as well as humorous, to offer to buy her a drink since they agreed she could really use one. The flight attendant persisted to try and relieve Kathy with his sarcasm, but she was utterly frazzled and not the sort to easily catch others’ wit. I was saddened by what I observed and upset at the lack of sensitivity she received. Yet, for the duration of that flight I found no opportunity to help her, other than through prayer.
After the plane touched down and the departing passengers were gone Kathy took the opportunity to take a seat closer to the front. She seemed intensely interested in not wasting a single moment on this frantic journey. She moved her carry-on bags to a more forward compartment and sat down in the aisle seat opposite me. I remember her face seeming pressed with anxiety and her eyes strained from the weight she bore. I knew the Lord had given me a chance to offer her a little much needed kindness.
I leaned into the aisle, gently touching her arm, and told her that I couldn’t help but over hear what she’d said about her mother being in the hospital and not doing well. I told her I was very sorry. As I spoke the lines in her forehead relaxed and her eyes seemed to brighten, if only ever so slightly. She thanked me for my concern and went on to explain that she had learned just the day before of her mother’s situation as well as the doctor’s expectation of there only being a few days before her mother passed. Her concern was intensified by the reality of the strained relationship the two of them had known for so many years. Kathy explained briefly of some of the difficulties between them, that she had long before forgiven her mother, ant that she loved her dearly. Yet, still they remained distant. Now she hoped only to get to the hospital in time to tell her how much she loved her and to say goodbye.
I immediately felt the Lord urging me to pray for her. I simply asked her if that would be alright. The offer had barely left my lips before she grabbed my hand and asked me to please pray. I gently held her hand and began, being interrupted briefly by the newly boarding passengers. I prayed for her peace and comfort, the opportunity for her to be reconciled with her mother, and for the presence of Christ to be with her. She couldn’t have been more thankful. Even if her words couldn’t quite communicate it her face and eyes did.
Certainly she was still upset but the Jesus met her there in the middle of that aisle. His presence gave her a sense of peace and hope that overcame her fear. She no longer seemed distraught and the light in her heart seemed restored. She then related that she too was a believer and had been for many years. As the conversation now shifted she seemed a bit lighter and no longer stuck in the waves of grief. The Lord had lifted her above them.
As I look back on this encounter I can see Christ at work. I recognize how my own similar past experiences gave me an ability to relate to this person who was a complete stranger. Then the Lord filled my heart with the compassion He longed to express to her. A simple gesture of kindness was all that He needed to remind her of His love and amazing strength, and to encourage her to take refuge in Him.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)