For the entirety of our month 9 (April) in Jamaica my team and another partnered with a church and prayer walked around Brown’s Town. Every day we walked the mountainous town in the blistering sun talking with people we felt led to. This could look like listening to their stories, encouragement, prayer, church invitations, and even leading people to Christ. We would often revisit friends we had met before continuing to build relationships. Six hours a day we did this. Some days we walked up to 8 miles. To be honest, it was exhausting.
But one day my team and I walked upon a Deaf School on a quiet secluded road. The property was fenced in, and there was a security guard at the gate. My team wanted to go in. I sure didn’t. “We can’t just interrupt a school,” I thought. We asked to come in anyway. They let us. We got to know the principal and what the school was all about. We shared what we were doing, and they invited us to lead worship one morning for the students. We did. We were then asked to help with track practice that same day. We did. We were then asked to help with Field Day. We did. We were able to cheer on all the students at the finish line of their race or event, waving our hands in applause. While handing out 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ribbons, high fives and hugs were exchanged. Afterwards we even received food and refreshments.
It was such a beautiful, spontaneous, and inviting experience. All because my team felt the leading of the Holy Spirit and we obeyed. I didn’t want to. I was tired. I didn’t think we could just go in and interrupt. There was a gate. But God knew what we needed. He knew we were exhausted. He wanted to provide for us. He wanted to bless us, but He could only do that by us walking in obedience. If there is one thing I’ve learned on the race is that He blesses obedience.
So I encourage you that if there is somewhere God is leading you to, if it looks like there’s a gate keeping you out and you can’t go in, remember Jesus is the ultimate gate keeper. Sometimes we just have to go in anyway. We just have to ask the gate keeper if we can come in. God might just want to lead you to something beautiful.
Deuteronomy 28:1-14
