Have you ever felt that nudge? The nudge that’s telling you to talk to someone or do something that’s not necessarily what you want to do? Well let me tell you, that nudge may actually be Holy Spirit speaking… so listen up. The other day on the bus ride home from ministry, I saw a young man standing across from me with music note tattoos on his arms. The way he was hanging on to the handrail tapping his fingers made it look like he was playing the cello or another stringed instrument. I kept watching him trying to figure out what he was doing. He caught my eyes and I asked him if he played the cello. He said that he didn’t but that he played the viola and guitar. We started talking about music, and I shared that I play the violin.
He spoke very broken English so when the language barrier put a stop to the conversation, he asked if I had a translator on my phone. Because theft is a big problem in Quito and pickpocketing is especially common on buses, we’ve been encouraged to keep our electronics safely tucked away while using public transportation. I knew I felt the nudge that I was supposed to keep talking to this guy and share the gospel with him, so I went against what was recommended and took my phone out of my bag. As I handed it to him so that he could use the translator app, I prayed “God, I know you want me talk with this guy so I’m trusting you to keep my phone safe.” We ended up talking the whole bus ride to the terminal. He shared that he is from Venezuela but moved to Ecuador to escape the violence and economic turmoil in his country.
He was working as a musician but had to leave that as well as his family behind when he fled. He’s now working as a truck driver. He grew up going to the Catholic church with his family and prays daily. After we arrived at the terminal, several of my teammates joined in on the conversation. We talked to this young man for another hour. We shared the gospel with him, invited him to church, and prayed with him. He thanked us for taking the time to talk with him. Even though he didn’t end up coming that Sunday, there was still a seed planted that wouldn’t have been had I ignored the nudge. In ministry and living the Christian life we don’t always see the results we want. It’s important to remember that every time we are obedient to those nudges, another seed is planted that may someday grow into a saving relationship with God. Don’t ignore the nudge.
We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Do not quench the Spirit.
Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
