One of the unique things about my job is that I get to go into the houses of the sick and elderly and see how they live. I meet them on there turf where they are fragile, hurting, and often times watching death creep closer everyday. The ministry opportunities in this environment are obvious although I am usually oblivious. I regretably spend most of my time in a hurry and more concerned with my job, rather than the people, and how God wants to use me in their lives. It is a struggle everyday for me to get my head in the game and focus on kingdom work instead of being paralyzed by stress and deadlines.
The other day I went into the house of a lady that I was not to familiar with. As I was led into her bedroom by her caregiver, I was met by two huge statues hovering over her bed. Mother Mary on the left. Jesus Christ on the right. References to God or Jesus on walls, coffee mugs, and refrigerator magnets are not an uncommon sight in the houses of the older generation, but this was a little over the top. They stared down at me like they were going to pounce at any second. We didn't talk much while I was servicing her equipment. She was enthralled in her soap opera and could care less if I as there. When I finished my work I went to her bedside to get a signature from her. She struggled to sign her name. She was obviously in pain and her lack of hair was the sign of her battle with cancer. "Oh mercy" she said as she scribbled her name. And than with bitterness and harsh sarcasm in her voice she mumbled, "Like mercy has ever done any good for me." I froze for a second, saw the oppurtunity, tried to figure out how her statement fit in with the statues of Jesus and Mary, thanked her, and left. That was it. I just left. As I drove away I kicked myself for not using that oppurtunity to tell her about the real Jesus. The Jesus who shows mercy in millions of ways every day. That even in our pain and suffering, there is reason to rejoice.
The next stop on my route was a lady that I see every week. She also battles cancer and is on the road to recovery. She always greets me with a smile and is very nice. I started in with small talk about the weather and her two little dogs. She transitioned my planned out conversation into an update on her health. She explained how her cancer was in three different spots on her chest and a big spot behind her thyroid but the radiation was doing wonders. All was well and comfortable until she threw a curveball. "I let Satan into my chest, that's how the cancer got there. I let my gaurd down and he came right in. I've been trying really hard lately to keep him out so he doesn't spread the cancer." Huh? At first I thought I heard her wrong but she kept going on with something about how she shaved her head so Satan can't get in through her hair. I was very confused and baffled by what she was saying but I just stood there listening and nodding my head like I agreed with her. I wanted to tell her about the real Jesus. That Jesus was greater than Satan and bigger than her cancer. That Jesus had conquered death. That He is restoring all things back to Himself and that her life fits within that story. But I didn't. I had her sign her name, and I left.
I have been pondering and meditating on these encounters since that day. This is what God has shown me:
The harvest in plentiful- There are people who I cross paths with everyday who have not understood, or even heard the gospel. People who are hungry for hope and searching for answers.
Be ready in season and out of season- I have no clue what divine appointments and oppurtunites await me each day and I must always be ready to give an answer for the gospel.
Act on these oppurtunites- Peoples souls are at stake and I have been chosen for this mission. He has placed me in this job at this time to speak His name and show His charachter to these people.
Show people the real Jesus- He showed me how skewed peoples vision of Jesus is. Both of these ladies obviously believed something about God but they did not have a clear picture of the real Jesus. In my day to day walk, I want to do nothing but show people the real Jesus.
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