Wow. I’ve been trying to write a blog for some time as a “quick update” sorta deal and I have a lot of drafts as there has been so much happening and so many revelations from the Lord but the Lord has instilled an urgency to write/speak this night out immediately.
A couple of days ago my dad comes home from work and asks if I would want to help out in feeding dinner to a homeless group on Saturday night and my immediate response is, “sure”. I don’t really think much of it except that I’m excited.
Life is busy and I was going through my everydays of driving Isaac places, cleaning, studying the word and cooking.
I was so at peace today. My spirit in alignment with the Holy Spirit and I loved how normal it felt. Getting in the car with my family, driving to the church, preparing a dinner, praying over our time, hanging out with the other volunteers, I loved it and felt at ease.
I felt the need to rest and wait. As a new covenant believer I get to rest in the sabbath rest all day, everyday with my main man, The Holy Spirit.
Most everyone had taken their seats to eat dinner and I walked over to the first empty table without, “one of us” as we were told to talk to the men and women who were there for the dinner.
I was sitting with two Davids and a woman with a beautiful name that I can’t remember but I remember thinking it was unique, I wonder if strangers do that with my name, ha!
We got to talking about names and food and it was a grand old time. Then, one of the Davids, the one I’m here to talk to you about asked me if I was in College. A question I get a lot which I always respond with, “I just got off the mission field and I prayed about college for awhile but ultimately God has me here for my family and serving them”.
David then went on to ask about my missions and all the sudden it launched us into this massive conversation of his testimony, here and there serving the Lord all over the globe.
It’s crazy the people we meet bonded by Jesus. It was fun and exciting and refreshing to meet a brother who understands the zeal for missions and for Christ.
God willing I want to meet this man again and hear his official testimony from A to Z because everything he did say in our allotted time was absolutely extraordinary to my ears.
The thing the Lord really wanted to show me through David was his complete surrender to His will.
Davids life has been all about serving others. He served in the Navy as something medical (missed that part) in Vietnam seeing and helping so many which I believe God did to instill passion in Davids heart to keep going out when God calls him to the nations.
I’m guessing after the Navy he came home and that’s when he took his SEVENTY mission trips to Mexico. He would work work work and then take all the money he had just made to fund himself going and helping those in need. From giving out blankets to building homes all for Gods glory. A life just serving God. There is so much beauty in that part of his story alone that makes my heart ecstatic. How many of us are willing to do that? I mean really. How many of you do not serve the master of money. How many of you hold onto the thoughts of having a future spouse and kids. How many think one or two mission trips sound fun but then want to come back and “settle down”.
David gave all of that up with an attitude of, “Of course because why wouldn’t I serve God with everything because HE IS EVERYTHING?” TOTAL heavens perspective which most don’t. Which I don’t. I’ve really been through a trial from God of questioning my purpose at home. The month of August was filled of doubt and distance from God. Totally wondering why God brought me here and totally in “the pit of despair”.
I’ve come a long way since that month in the short amount of time since August and the Lord is so good to remind me through David tonight that is does not matter what I am doing or where I am because from a heavenly perspective God is in control and needs me in that spot for a REASON and I shouldn’t question it because I am DEF. not God and I DEF. don’t know what will happen. BUT HE DOES!!
David has done a lot more and trusted God with so much.
Then, last year he lost everything when he found out he had major heart issues from serving in Vietnam. He didn’t have the funds to pay for his medical bills and BOOM he’s on the streets. Instead of being hopeless and angry, he had this atitude of, “Okay God, just rollin’ through the punches like usual”. God has a reason for every single little thing we go through. For David, God put him in this exact place to share Jesus with the other homeless. He’s not a drug addict. He’s not an alcoholic. He’s just a son doing what His Father has planned for him.
David has an intercessory spiritual gift and is in constant prayer for his fellow tent mates. Walking up and down praying for each of them. Waking up in the middle of the night to pray over them. Boldly proclaiming Jesus. I love it. The other David who was sitting at our table at dinner actually used to be a follower of Christ but has turned way and is now worshiping a pagan God from Viking times. The David this story is about literally straight tells the other David, “Dude, It’s time to come home, Jesus is who you need”. Totally calling him out because that is what is needed sometimes!!!
God has been revealing so much to me about “righteous anger” and what it looks like to in the hard love of Jesus to call other followers of Christ higher… Of course Holy Spirit lead. In a lot of ways that is what David is doing. He’s reminding him it’s time to come home.
There are so many non-believing, broken children of God in the homeless population and God literally placed David among them to bring them home. To show the love of Jesus and to guide them to Christ.
Man, that is not easy. He gets persecuted day in and day out. In my churches women bible study we read over 2 Corinthians and in Chapter 2 verses 14-16, Paul is talking about the fragrance of Christ. How to Christ-followers its going to be sweet and life-giving but to those in the dark it will be death. Like, wow. That pretty much means if you sharing Jesus with everyone, like how we’re supposed too, persecution WILL COME. And actually, that was one of my words God gave me for 2019 and my response was kinda like, “uhhhhh, what in the world does that mean and what in the world will I be facing this year?!?!” Mostly because I didn’t understand the more subtle ways of persecution we see more in America versus other countries. But it’s true, people are going to get very upset with you if you are talking about Jesus and not watering down truth. In fact, are you living a bold life for Christ if you’re NOT getting persecuted?? I mean really. Gotta check yourself there, I hope that convicts the Christians who read this and say they follow Christ and DO NOT SHARE the good news because, Jesus would say to you, “Woe to you for the road is narrow and FEW will find it”.
I have had a dip in the water of persecution in comparison to what is to come but wow, it is hard and the only way to face it is to remember that in our weakness, God is mighty. David spoke so much encouragement over my life and it made me cry because Jesus looked upon his daughter tonight and said, “I got you”. David if you ever read this somehow, thank you because you let Jesus speak and shine through you in your words of encouragement.
Let’s go David. Thank you Jesus for David. A servant. A child. Laying on his hands and knees at the foot of Jesus declaring surrender over his whole life. Now that is worth writing for.
Next time you see a homeless man or woman, stop your mind. hear their story and watch how God will amaze you.
ALSO:
David is having a heart surgery on October 8th at 6:45am, please be praying for him!! This is just the start of a long journey of surgeries.
Feels good to write again. See you soon in the next one. 🙂
