Sometimes want we thought we wanted or even thought that we needed, is not everything we thought it would be once we get it. The other day as I was making the move from Nashville back home to Spring for the summer, I had a long time to think and pray about what the next few months would look like before I go out on the World Race. I thought a lot about the fact that I want to be more intentional about seeking what God wants to do in my life now, and not just wait around until August to start living out the missional life. I'm not always sure what that looks like, but I feel that I'm getting a glimpse of it more everyday.
One of those glimpses came when I was at a Starbucks in Longview, TX where I was staying the night before my drive home the next day. As I was sitting down to do some writing and check my email, a man looked at me and asked if he could check his email, and then practically grabbed my laptop out of my hands before I could tell him yes. He looked very distressed and at first I thought it must be raining out, but then I realized he was just covered in sweat. After he checked his email and made a few calls, we began to talk and he asked what I do. I told him that I just finished up school, and had a chance to share about the World Race. Then shared with him about how I am passionate about the idea of story, and hope to work in writing and documentary films sharing the untold stories of people around the world. Then he began sharing his life story, and told me about how while he made good money at his job working for the rail road he wasn't passionate about it anymore.
From there Gabriel shared how that he was raised Catholic and believes in God, but feels that something is missing. I shared a little bit about why I'm doing the world race, and about my views on God and the importance I find in the people God placed in my life. We ended up talking for over an hour that night, but I guess I did a lot more listening than talking. Yet at the end of the day, I think that Gabriel just needed to share his story with someone, and have someone actually listen. So while I didn't guide him through the Roman Road that night or pull out my EvangeCube, I did get a chance to listen to his story and to pray with him. Should I have done more? I'm not really sure. Yet I think there is something to be said about the fact that we met as strangers that night, but we walked away as new friends.
