Last week I was standing on a sidewalk in downtown
Minneapolis when out of nowhere a complete stranger, whom I had no interaction
with, swung her elbow into my face in intended force. In complete shock I just
stood there as she continued to walk by. My friend confusedly called out, “Why
did you do that?” Then I saw her turn around, her face filled with anger, and
for a second time hit me in the face.
At the moment I wasn’t angry, and perhaps from the shock of
what happened I just stood there and didn’t do anything, I just prayed blessing
over her as she walked away.
That night and the few days that followed, I didn’t think it
was that big of a deal aside from the pain. But after a few days I was really
hurt about it, and I couldn’t understand why; for some odd reason it would
bring me to the point where I was fighting tears.
I now have a crooked nose; I assume it is broken, and
without health insurance I won’t be going to the doctor. While my crooked nose
is frustrating, it is not the reason why I am hurt. I was talking with my
sister to process why I was emotional about it. She said, “It is because you
were violated…maybe God will use this in a way you will be able to relate just
a little bit with the people who you will come in contact with and serve, those
who are innocent and have been violated.” Her words just clicked and I knew
they were truth.
The other day I was wondering if God would ever straighten
my nose. Then I felt God tell me the innocent are living with the scars left
from their oppressors. My nose didn’t matter as much after that, it took the
focus off of me and on to those out there living with the reminders of their
pain.
I know what happened to me is on a very, very small scale.
Millions of people are being violated in extreme ways that I cannot even begin
to imagine, complete evil entering their paths. So in no way am I saying my
nose is anything important. God just showed me a tiny, tiny, tiny, glimpse of
what some people go through.
God is going to somehow use even this small incident for His
good and His glory, and I am excited to see it. Because I know He uses
everything evil that happens ultimately for good. Because God is victorious,
because He conquered evil, every evil act has to be followed by His victory.
I guess I am writing this to encourage myself and hopefully
you, to not focus on the bad that has happened, the job lost, the relationship
that went sour, or the blow to the face, instead look to and look for the
glorious victory that God has in response right around the corner. I wonder how
many times I missed seeing Him conquer evil by focusing on the bad instead of
looking for His redemption.
And so while my nose throbs as I write this, I refuse to
give satan any satisfaction by focusing on his evil instead of being excited
for God’s glory.
God redeems ALL things! YAY!!
