Love Challenge       #LoveEx

After an incredible two weeks, my introverted self (I’m normally an ambivert) realized how much I needed some quiet “me time”. I also was overdue for my next blog so I decided to spend some time outdoors at a familiar Philadelphia park. With my striped blanket in one hand (it totally resembles what I think Joseph’s coat of many colors looked like), and my macbook, journal and Bible in my other hand, I sat down where no one else was around……so I thought. I was getting comfy and took a deep breath of relief that I was going to be able to read my Bible and finish my blog.

Not even a minute later, this young man (I’m going to call him J for this blog) pulled up his bike and asked me if he could join me. Some other funny interactions took place which aren’t important for this time but I asked Holy Spirit if he was safe and I felt a clear yes. He asked me if he could smoke and I said sure as long as the smoke goes in the other direction. I’m thinking J is going to pull out a cigarette but no, this guy totally pulled out a bong and a bottle of prescription pills. He began to share how it helped him manage his anxiety and how his doctor approved of him smoking weed. It was funny how this man knew nothing about me, but he felt the need to justify what he was doing. I promise, I didn’t give him an ice grill and I was super happy he didn’t ask me what I did for a living. (If you don’t know, I’m a Drug and Alcohol Counselor. 🙂  Anywho, as time went on, he began to share stories from his childhood. From emotional and mental abuse, to being super happy that his dad died of cancer when he was 18. He now lives with his mother, which he said he hated.

My heart felt his pain, but my spirit man was super excited that this opportunity was in front of me. He kept sharing how he felt something different about me…that I was cool and he was super glad I stopped writing to talk to him because he had never felt loved. I knew the sun was going down, so I couldn’t help but let him know what was different about me. How could I hold back from sharing Jesus with someone who was hungry for Love. I was able to share how I myself had struggled with anxiety but Jesus had set me free and I now have a peace that surpasses all understanding. This led to a 20 minute talk that ended with J giving me a high-five as he yelled “Team Jesus!”. He then told me that he would take the challenge to pursue this Jesus of power and love. Earlier he had told me that he hated church but right before he left,  he asked me to write down my church address. My goal wasn’t to get him to church (although that came up), my goal was for him to experience an unconditional love, a perfect love that cast out all fear and anxiety. I truly felt like this could be the moment where he could begin a journey that would allow him to forgive his parents as he was experiencing an encounter with the true and living God. After some time, J realized it was getting late and he needed to ride his bike back to South Philly. He jumped on his bike, thanked me for my time and took off. His thank you was so sincere.

I felt God’s pleasure in that moment. See, I wouldn’t lie that initially when he came over I was kind of annoyed that my plans of having “me time” wouldn’t happen, but my spirit quickly reacted and reminded me that I’m a carrier of God’s presence. Whatever is on God’s heart should be on mine. Tonight, J  was on God’s heart. I felt like I was pretty aware of those God appointments until 3 weeks ago when my pastor challenged our church to commit to loving those around us more. It has caused me to slow down and be more alert and attentive to the people around me that are desperate for eye-to-eye contact, longing to be noticed, and hungry for true love. I have tons of stories of those God moments but I’ve kept you long enough, so I will leave you with this.

What would happen if Jesus lovers slowed down to leave room for Holy Spirit to guide and direct our path to those who are searching? How many people would encounter God’s love through us on a daily basis?