I’ve learned and grown more in the past nine months than in my entire life combined. That may sound like an exaggeration, but when it comes to personal growth and learning to abide in the Father’s love, it may be an under-statement. One thing God has taught me over the course of this crazy adventure is to allow Him to interrupt me.
This sounds like a weird concept, but I believe God is trying to interrupt us every day. He is constantly trying to communicate with us, but we have to choose to slow down and listen up. The first time I can recall God interrupting my life was when I was sitting with a woman of God discussing life and she told me “you don’t have to drink anymore if you don’t want to and you don’t have to be strong enough because God wants to help you.” I was taken back and confused, but I decided to yield to His voice that night and He changed the trajectory of my life. That was two years ago.
I’m now walking in deeper trust and intimacy with the Lord than I’ve ever known was possible and every day, He wants to communicate with me. But, that requires me to put my agenda aside and yield. Sometimes that looks like staying behind when everyone else is going to the coffee shop to get wifi in order to sit and be still before the Lord. Sometimes, it looks like speaking truth out of love into someone’s life when it would be easier and “safer” to just keep quiet. It looks different day-to-day and moment-to-moment.
Yesterday, it looked like taking a group of children to get ice cream.
A few days ago, we met a little girl named Jennifer. She is six years old and she walks the street of Chichicastenango, Guatemala, hounding tourists to buy trinkets. She was a relentless saleswoman and after following us into a restaurant and putting on a pouty face, a couple of my teammates bought something from her. She was grateful, but, that wasn’t enough for her. She began to ask us for things. She would point to something and say “for me.” One of my teammates decided to buy her a lemonade. She pulled a chair up beside me and when our food came out and she began to point and say “for me.” So, we shared our food with her. I communicated the best I could through my broken Spanish and when we left the restaurant, she gave me a hug and asked if she would see me again. I told her I hoped so.
Yesterday, I was at the local market and looking to buy a hoodie. It’s pretty chilly at night here, as we’re up in the mountains and the hoodies here would make a great souvenir. I had only 18 quetzals (the local currency) on me and I was determined to get the hoodie I wanted at that price, but to no avail. I gave up and decided to leave, defeated. On my way out, I bought a bag of mango and began my walk home. Before I even got to eat a slice of mango, I ran into Jennifer and some of her friends. She immediately asked for the mango. I gave her a piece and then her friends pointed also, so I gave them the bag on the condition they shared it. She agreed. I was tired and want to just go home, but I felt like I was supposed to take them all to get ice cream. So, through my broken Spanish, I invited them. We walked through town and Jennifer clung to my arm. I could feel her desire to just be loved. We got ice cream and I sat with them on the steps as we communicated through laughter.
I can’t change Jennifer’s home situation. I can’t make her parents love her. But, I can sit and laugh with her. I can hug her. I can pray for her. I can allow God to interrupt my day to pour His love out on her.
I allowed God to interrupt my life when I was on the path of destruction and salvation was the result. Now, I get to choose every day to allow Him to interrupt me and the result is ever-increasing intimacy and understanding of His never-ceasing love for me. There are often times when I fail to yield, but every time I follow the still, small whisper or the tug on my heart, the fruit is beautiful. Sometimes the fruit is a quiet moment, soaking in His presence, inhaling His peace. Sometimes, it’s a teammate thanking you for the truth you spoke. And sometimes, it’s a young girl experiencing the love of her Father.
