Opportunities
The other morning driving to work I stopped at the gas station to fill up my car. Like any other time I slide my credit card through the machine, punch in my zip code and begin to pump. As I was putting the pump back into the slot I heard a man from behind me: “Miss, do you have a couple of dollars to spare for gas?” When I turned around to see this man I was expecting someone who had clothes from years ago, hadn’t taken a shower in a few days and with facial hair that reminds me of Santa Claus. To my surprise he was a normal looking man who seemed to be dressed with attire for a normal business job. Now, usually when this happens I tell the person I don’t have cash on me and walk away. Just the other week I was going to Trader Joe’s to get grocery’s after a work out from the gym. An older lady came up to me and had asked if I had cash because someone has stolen her purse and she needed money for the bus. I immediately like many other times in my life said, “No” when I did have a couple of dollars on me and walked in the store. I remember walking in the store being convicted that I had lied to this woman and could have spared some change for her. I had hoped that once I got my few grocery’s I would see her again and this time give her the cash. As I walked out the store I looked and she was no where to be found.
Back to the other morning. As I turned around to see this man something came over me that didn’t even give me the chance to hesitate and tell him no, in response I said, “I think so, let me check.” So I walked around to my car and opened my wallet to see the exact of money he had asked for ($3). Now, I usually don’t carry cash on me, but for some reason this week I happen to have a little bit in my wallet. I grabbed the money and handed it to him. He said, “Thank you” and walked off. As I got in my car to head to work this verse popped in my head, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” – Matthew 25:40.
Now, I’m not certain if this gentleman actually used the few bucks I gave him to buy gas or for something else, but to me that wasn’t the point. As I was walking to lunch with a professor and staff member here in the Theology department I began to share with him my experience – how I instantly with no hesitation gave him a couple of bucks to spare. We began having a discussion of how paralyzed we as Christians can get when someone ask for something. We instantly assume the worst and are blindsided to being use because we are so fixated on ourselves. The professor began to share with me that it isn’t our job to determine what the person does with what we gave him, but that we were willing to be obedient to what the Spirit was leading us to do and the rest is up to God.
I’ve got to admit it is easy for me to get caught up in the things of my life and become paralyzed and blinded by the pure opportunities God is purposing in front of me to be used. I’m selfish and I want to do things when I want to do them. I don’t want to be bothered with people who are asking for a few dollars to spare for food, gas or a bus ride. When I begin to examine how cold my heart really can be, it makes me sad – mainly because I know the spirit inside of me desires to live out a life that represents the Kingdom of God with grace, mercy, justice and love – to help those in need and loves those who need it the most.
Has I have been pondering the last couple of days about being aware of these opportunities I’m realizing that the Spirit of God is moving in and around me - but I need to be aware and sensitive to that leading. I’m not good at listening to the Spirit, I often think he takes to long to get back to me, constantly leaving me waiting and waiting. When I want answers, I want them right then and there, yet God is reminding me that all in His timing. The other morning was perfect timing. I can’t explain it, but I knew that God did have a plan and wanted that guy to ask me for a couple of dollars – especially since my prayer this week was asking God to show me how to be sensitive and aware of when the Spirit is moving for opportunities. It wasn’t this magical circumstance, it was just a 25 year old woman going about her business in the morning and responding to what I knew the Spirit was leading me to do.
My prayer is that myself and the Christian community – those who are followers of Christ would be reminded of how important it is that we are aware of what the Spirit of God is doing in our lives. I realize that there are many opportunities being place in front of us daily, but that we would ask God to give us eyes to see and ears to hear what those “burning bushes” are. And God isn’t angry with us when we decide or forget to miss out on those situations, but He so loving continues to pursue and keep giving knowing that one day we will respond.
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