I went to a village to evangelize, encourage, and pray with the residents. I came up to one particular house with three beautiful older woman sitting on a bamboo mat. I walked up with my translator Daniel, but they paid me no mind. He introduced me, they glanced up with solemn faces and looked at each other in a way that it was obvious they were unsure of me, but I continued to speak.
Daniel had told me they all knew Jesus and asked if I had anything to say or encourage them with. It was awkward, because I tried asking the women questions and they just stared at me. They didn’t make a sound. It was obvious they did not want me there, but I kept on hoping for a breakthrough. We (really just me and Daniel translated) talked about the church and finding a fellowship with other believers to build their faith and be with like-minded people.
When I was done, it was silent. I hadn’t felt so awkward since middle school.
I made one last effort to interact with them and asked them if there was anything I could pray with them for.
Again. Silence.
I thanked them for their time, and walked away thinking what the heck just happened. They said they were Christians, so why would they reject prayer? Why would they reject me and what I felt the Lord tugging on my heart to say to them?
We had got back on to the road when Daniel told me my tattoos threw them off. He said they were unsure of me and thought I was a false witness because I have ink on my skin.
It made me sad for them. God could have really moved in that moment, had they focused on Him rather than my appearance.
Then I thought about home. I thought about how many times I’ve looked at people and wanted nothing to do with them based on their look. I wondered how many opportunities to see the Lord I had passed on because I was too wrapped up in the “Christians should look a certain way” or “God wouldn’t use them” mindset.
How many opportunities have you missed out on?
Jesus can show up at any moment, and use anyone He pleases to get through to us.
They don’t have to be saved for God to use them to touch our hearts or get through to us. They do not have to look a certain way. They could literally come to you in dirty rags, tattooed from head to toe, or piercings all over their face.
There is no limit to who God can use.
