I recently had two interactions that have left me wanting to say ‘yes’ to God’s requests more.
There are situations that we are put in, and ‘assignments’ we are given. Sometimes we can see right away the impact we make, and other times it will not be until we make it to God’s kingdom that we will know.
I was in the middle of reading a book ‘what happens when women say yes to God’ on a train when the young woman beside me started having a mild panic attack.
This was her first major snow storm and was wondering how she was going to get home. She was clearly in a state of panic. Having gone through this experience a few times over 12 years, I knew I’d eventually make it home.
As I continued reading – debating whether I start a conversation (I was at complete peace with the situation) – the book reminded me that we were called to offer comfort to those around us. I knew there was no coincidence. I paused my reading, and started offering assurances that she would be able to make it home just ok. We were getting off at the same stop and she would be ok – even if she had to walk because she was relatively close to the train. She seemed to settle down a bit.
I never saw her again, but I knew that I had done what I was supposed to do in that moment.
And God sent an angel shortly after to rescue me (another story for another blog post).
I met a young man on the train under different circumstances. He was reading his devotion, trying to catch up because he felt he was behind. He did not seem eager for conversation, but I had been prompted to give him my card with my blog info.
After a few minutes, we started talking and talked for about 15 minutes about why I started writing and a bit about my journey. That typically would have been the end of our dialogue – except I found out that we were in the same profession and he was in need of information that I had experience with – but couldn’t remember the details. I took his number promising to reach out. I remembered less than 10 minutes later.
I have since discovered that it’s no coincidence that we exchanged contact information.
We have been able to encourage each other on our respective journeys and growing in Christ. I send him devotions or things that if I thought of him while reading, and he responds with the impact it’s making on his life.
Our friendship is two weeks old, but one that God has his hand all over. I have prayed for this young man, and he has prayed for me. There is genuine concern. We tell the people in our lives about how God moved and put us together on a train and how He is answering questions for us.
My question of – is my blog making a difference.. and his Of growing in his relationship with Christ – and we can see how God is clearly answering and providing direction.
I don’t want to think of the blessing we would have each missed had I not stepped out of my comfort zone and talked to him. I can talk to strangers – that’s not an issue for me. It’s a lot harder to talk to a stranger about Jesus and how He shows up in unreal ways.
Will you say ‘yes’ when God asks you to do something?
You never know how it will turn out, but know that if you are being led by the Holy Spirit, your obedience will be rewarded -whether on this side of the Kingdom, or the other. We just never know.
Dear Heavenly Father, help me to be someone who consistently says ‘yes’ to you. Help me to be willing and obedient that I may eat of the tree of life. Let my heart be so wrapped up in you, that I will be able to hear and respond to what you ask of me.