I currently sit in a local Starbucks in Evansville, Indiana. It's humid and rainy outside and I'm passing some time while I want to head to Bosse Field to watch a little of Josh's game. It's my last day here visiting him, and so it's a sad day. While I feel this way, I thought it would be a good chance for me to set a big amount of time toward my Bible study readings and my prayer journal. I read through the book of Galatians and did some other bible-based book readings. I've probably seen about 100 people pass in and out of this mid-sized Starbucks. I'm quietly seated near a side wall just observing. As I do so, I realize how amazing it is that Jesus met me here for coffee. I sought Him, and he met with me. Through the Holy Spirit, my eyes were opened in Galatians to the truth of "works-righteous" vs. the Gospel. I've felt a sense of comfort and peace in this small, black metal chair since the moment I sat down it in - not because this place smells of coffee and sugar or because there is a constant flow of traffic in here, but because God truly is here with me. He knows my heart and how discontent I feel, how anxious I am. I called today "the beginning of the end because after I go home tonight, I won't see Josh for two weeks. God knows how discontent I am and He's comforting me, even as I sit as a lone stranger in this far-from-home coffee shop.
My encounter with the Lord today reminds me of an encounter I had a few months ago. It was an email trail actually. During this particular week, and specifically this one day, I was really REALLY doubting God and my faith. I felt disconnected, detached, alone, left out, and far away from the Holy Spirit. I couldn't feel the Spirit at all and I was questioning God about it. I was sitting at my desk at work sending emails, as usual. One of these emails was an update to an out-of-state client to let him know that he had earned an incentive for completing something online for us (to give background - it had been a complicated process for this client to earn the incentive, so I was very glad to be able to tell him he's receive the reward, finally!). I sent the email to him and continued with my work. A few minutes later, he replied with a 'thank you' and again, I returned to my daily routine. Later that day, I received another email from him. He explained in his email that he had found my blog online (this one), read my April post (which was actually April 2012) and was so impressed with the person I am and my faith. I cried at my desk. Little did he know, I had been doubting and questioning God all morning. I had felt farther away from God than I had in years. I read that email and realized two things: 1) God will meet you where you are, even at your small cubicle at work... and 2) God uses the most unlikely people and circumstances to make Himself known, make His power known, and to show us love and encouragement. God was looking at me through the words on that laptop screen. The Holy Spirit was filling me with encouragement, comfort, and peace as I read the words of a complete stranger across my screen. I was not only reminded of my faith and why I have it, but I was encouraged to get back to that place of faith. I was re-awakened to reality and the power of God and his love for me. I was so overwhelmed by the email from the client that I started to formulate how I'd use this small story to encourage others. I decided returning to this blog was the most obvious way.
To keep names confidential - if you ever read my blog again, D.H., I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your emails that day. God bless you for allowing the Holy Spirit to move you to send that first bold email.
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