Yesterday two young men walked into the Christian coffee shop I mentioned last week with their Bibles under their arms. I noticed briefly, smiled appreciatively as they sat near me, but got back to the work of the Bible study I had at hand. Despite the Christian music in the background it was difficult not to overhear their conversation. It seemed to be an accountability meeting of sorts. They began with the counselor asking the counselee if there was anything particularly pressuring or burdensome to him this week. The counselee mentioned that he had been trying to share his faith at work, but was continually being met with resistance and ridicule, and instead of the inappropriate conversation getting better in light of his open profession of faith it seemed it was getting exponentially worse. I could sense the counselees growing frustration as the counselor began to tell him that his problem was probably speaking truth without love and an effort to first establish relationship. I listened for a few more minutes as he spoke of Gods love and the need for the man to pray for his coworkers more and speak less. While I see his point, and agree with him to a point, I unmistakably sensed the hurt the counselee was feeling at having a Christian basically telling him the same thing the unsaved had been saying all week. This is something that I continually deal with personally. I empathized with his heart of good intention, and the frustration of having people whom you expect to be supportive end up being your worst critics. So many times Ive been tempted to stop sharing, and each time the Lord makes it clear that my need is not silence, but increasingly more quiet confidence coupled with joyful, holy boldness. The verse He has repeatedly used is Isaiah 62:6b, Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence. Im terrible with references though, so the words were there, but I had no idea where to find them. I sensed the Holy Spirit prompting me to go over and share the verse with them, but laughed it off and said in my heart, Well, if You can help me find it, I will … knowing full well it was buried somewhere in the Old Testament, and feeling relief as I realized the unlikeliness of ever finding it without a concordance. I kid you not, my Bible opened right to it. Of course, it did. I sat there completely dumbfounded, and when I finally found my tongue, oh, how I argued against saying a word! It was none of my business. When they began discussing where they were going to begin reading for the day, the counselor slightly panicked when the counselee mentioned having lots of questions about the book of Job. When the counselor said that he generally enjoyed the New Testament more, but was willing to read the Old Testament if thats what he really wanted, I knew that was my cue. With ridiculously trembling hands I went over and introduced myself. We shook hands and they introduced themselves as Josh and the other Josh. We laughed as I said that would be easy enough to remember, and they both said, No way! when I explained why. From that moment it was like the Holy Spirit swooped in, and a meaningful Divine Appointment ensued. We talked for the next 45 minutes with tears and laughter, and some of the sweetest fellowship granted among complete strangers this side of heaven. When I walked away, there was a lingering silence as they absorbed what had just taken place, and as I walked out the door I heard, Well, THAT was AWESOME. Once again, God used this verse, not only to comfort and reassure and encourage someone else, but more than ever to comfort, reassure and encourage me. May it do so for YOU, too.
Posted on: Fri, 01 Aug 2014 14:38:56 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015