“Be very careful then, how you live – not as unwise
but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.”
~Ephesians 5:16
Vacation…what first comes to mind? Relaxing, away from the world, away from
people, somewhere nice, no work, enjoyable, no “ministry,” …. Wikepedia describes vacation as ‘a term used
in English-speaking North America to describe a lengthy time away from work or
school, a trip abroad, or simply a pleasure trip
away from home, such as a trip to the beach that lasts several days or longer.’
Well, most of those words
were true over our ‘Christmas vacation’ but even though I was away from planned
ministry and on ‘vacation,’ even though we wanted to have time away from
people, God spoke to me and gave me a wonderful opportunity to do His
work. Walking along the beach over
Christmas break, there were vendors selling t-shirts, jewelry, massages, more
jewelry, sarongs, and guitars. One day,
the same lady asked me if I wanted an hour long massage; I wasn’t interested,
but as I saw her sitting there throughout the day with her youngest daughter, I
felt God wanted me to sit with her and pour into her in some way.
As I sat with her, and asked
her to tell me her story, she told me her name is Luz and she has five children. Her youngest is seven and her name is Diana
Rose. Her daughter swung in the hammock
as we talked. I asked about Diana Rose
and Luz told me that her hair and skin is different because her father, Luz’s
husband, is from Austria. They are separated right now, which makes it hard
because Diana always asks where her father is and is sad when she sees other
boys and girls with a mom and a dad. She
said it has been very hurtful and hard raising them on her own and not knowing
where her husband is or what he is doing.
Her other kids are from another boyfriend from her past. She expressed how hard it was with Lorence,
her husband because he didn’t believe in God.
She said that was a big reason they separated because he didn’t feel the
need to pray together.
When her nephew had fluid on
his brain and they needed 100,000 pisos to pay for his medical treatments they
knew they had to pray. She said she was
catholic and as they prayed God started to provide. One guy who was visiting the island gave what
he could to help when he saw the hospital papers, 60,000 pisos. She went around
to the community and everyone pitched in.
She said, “How could he not believe in a God when things like that
happen?”
I encouraged her with how
God has worked in my life and been faithful.
I told of God’s unconditional love and expressed God’s love to her and
that the reason we can trust Him and have a relationship with Him is because of
what He did for us. She thanked me so
much for my encouragement and said she knew God had sent me. I asked if I could pray for her and her
family so I showered prayer over her, Diana Rose, Lorrence, and the rest of her
family.
In 1 Peter 3, Christ says, “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”
Never miss an opportunity
that God may want to use you even just to encourage someone around you. Listen to God, He will reveal His heart to
you. God doesn’t say to stop for your
break, but we are always to be looking at people, asking God who He wants us to
speak to or pray for. That can be in a
bus, at the park, in the store, or on the beach! We are always to be aware of those around us,
loving always, and listening to God’s voice.
