One of my favorite passages as it relates to overflowing with God's love is "Be wise in the way that you treat outsiders, making the most of every opportunity..." I think the desire to overflow with God's goodness hinges on his idea. If you desire to allow God to flow through you into the lives of other people, it normally does not happen by accident. It takes intentionality, it requires someone looking for opportunities and then cashing them in, when it arises. Yesterday I started the day with this in mind...simply because life just gets busy and my attention is easily distracted which means I too often miss opportunities to seize the divine moments God opens up for me (I'm sure you can relate). God intentions are really not enough, when it comes to expressing God's love an care to someone. It takes thought, and in most cases it requires sacrifice, whether monetarily or just in time.
Back to my little story from yesterday...I was driving through Pensacola, and these days there is a lot of road construction. As I was flagged through by the guy directing traffic, I drove through the construction zone and noticed the flagger at the other end of the construction zone, we met eyes and he waved me through. When I saw him, I saw exhaustion, thirst, tattered clothes, and a lot of sweat, but more than that I saw someone who God loves and died for. So I was motivated to do something seemingly small that expressed that love. I went to the gas station up the road, bought two bottles of iced cold water, some cash and went back. As I drove back toward the work site, the earth movers were blocking the road and I was the only car heading down the road, so I knew that I would have a little time with this guy. As I stopped he was about 20 feet in front of me. So I rolled down the window and waved him over. When he came over...exchanged some small talk...and I simply said, I don't know you but I know that it is hot out here so I thought I would bring you some water. He looked at me like i was crazy saying "are you serious", I said yes...and actually I also have $10 so that you can get a good lunch. Then he really thought I was crazy, not sure if I was serious...I had to do some convincing but he finally excepted, asking why I was doing this. I simply responded by saying, because God loves you, nd I wanted to show you that in a practical way. He was antsy before saying this, after I said because God loves you he stood still and silent for a second. I imagine he cycled through experiences in his life that he wondered if there was a God, and if there was did he care, and maybe this small seed helped to convince him of God's love and concern for his life. About that time it was time for me to move through the construction zone. As I drove through he nodded his head and said "Thank You". What struck me was the way he said thanks, it was not the random without thought "Thanks", he looked me in my eyes with a steady gaze expressing sincere thanks. This was so small, nothing earth shattering, or incredibly sacrificial on my part, but who knows where this seed will end up. I am praying for this man, and I plan on going back through the construction zone today in hopes to bump into him again.
Never under-estimate the power of something small that is done in great love. Just my simple story from one day, I experienced a great satisfaction knowing that this man for a moment knew that God loved him, and there were people who really cared. Now I am spending the rest of today being intentional about expressing this love, and I hope you do the same.
AMEN. Let's do it again, and again
Posted by: Jim Mather | August 15, 2007 at 11:16 AM
Good stuff PJ. Inspired me.
Posted by: John | August 16, 2007 at 03:17 PM