God brought a new spiritual friend into my life through His divine orchestration. I was at a church event where we watched a video, had table discussions, and had a time of communal prayer. The leader mentioned there was a gentleman at his table who would be returning to Florida, where he lives. During the prayer time, I heard the man from Florida share a prayer request. It was then that I had the inkling to share a book of mine with him at the end. He was busy talking with two or three people, so I was just going to leave. That was until the lady next to me at my table said, “Did you bring your book to give to someone specific or just in case you needed one?” I replied, “Well, thanks for asking; it was just in case, and at prayer time, I felt I was supposed to give it to the man from Florida. Thanks for inspiring me to follow up on that inkling.”
My life was so enriched by talking with this stranger for a good 40 minutes before we departed. Two strangers shared about the Lord and faith in our lives. It felt like the Holy Spirit was welling up in me as I shared more and more about my faith and writing journey. He understood completely and shared some of his story too. I showed him the prayer garden, where I spent many days reflecting on God. It was right near my car, where I was inspired to also share another book with him. Before we left the prayer garden, he felt inspired to pray for us both, which was special. That led us to share our contact information so we could stay in touch. What a blessing it has been for us both.
We loved you so much that we shared with you not only God’s Good News but our own lives, too. –1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NLT)
This verse sums up what our 40-minute exchange was all about. What a delight and joy it was to be able to share God’s good news and Him at work in our lives! Two strangers, united in Christ, experienced an instant spiritual connection.
Photo courtesy of BK under Creative Commons License (CC BY-SA 2.0)
Two days after that first encounter, he shared via text something I reflected on and wanted to share. He said, “I realized something Thursday night in our conversation – I wanted to hear more. Here’s what I learned. I pray daily for God to bring people into my life – to see with my spiritual eyes and hear with my spiritual ears the needs of others – to minister to their needs and help them along this journey.”
“But I’m not sure I’ve prayed for Jesus to bring someone into my life specifically to minister to me. It’s not a pride thing, I don’t believe, but rather just not an awareness. Then you came along. You took a chance to meet a stranger – to open up and share. Thank you, Christine. You are wonderfully made.”
“Anyway, for sure, God has brought people into my life to journey with and help me in this life and I am always thankful. But you brought that awareness to me that I should pray for Him to bring people to minister to me.”
*Are you open to talking with a stranger about God when you get a prompting?
Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. –Hebrews 13:2 (NIV)
We don’t know what people are going through. We may never know the impact of a seemingly simple gesture on someone’s life until we get to heaven. You may even find out that your simple “hello” at 6 p.m. one day was the first time the person was talked to that day. Sharing the encounters we experience with God in our lives with a stranger can breathe life into both our spirits.
*Don’t we often minister to or try to help meet others’ needs as we place others before ourselves?
Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God. –Hebrews 13:16 (ESV)
Indeed, God wants us to do good to others, especially those in need. We can share our time, talents, and treasures to help others. When we share from the goodness of our hearts, knowing we are following God’s will, God is well pleased with us. Our sacrifices are a way we can give back to God.
*Do we pray for people to come into our lives to minister to us spiritually?
As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. –Proverbs 27:17 (NIV)
I think we don’t tend to focus on our personal needs for spirituality as much. God desires that we build loving and growing relationships with like-minded people to help us grow even more spiritually. When we are like iron for each other, we can be used to help each other grow in faith and character and have honest conversations about ways we can improve. We can become more and more like God as we are continually changing.
Photo courtesy of Lindsay Hickman under Creative Commons License (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Be encouraged this week to…
…follow the prompting to entertain a stranger in whatever capacity.
…seek ways to minister or help meet others’ needs.
…pray for and be aware of spiritual ministers who come into your life.
…see how you can be like iron challenging others to grow spiritually.
My prayer for you this week is what this man shared in a later text: “Jesus, help me especially to be so aware when you bring someone into my life to minister to me.”
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near. –Hebrews 10:25 (NLT)
