We took a hike to a few waterfalls for a teammate’s birthday in El Salvador. Our guide was the town’s best surfer until a recent car accident that put him in a coma for a week or so. Before that, he had it going on. He was making it on his own through his own strength. He even told us that he saved four tourists from drowning a while back.
We told him about the World Race and our journey thus far. We quickly got on the topic of God #missionaryconvos. He told us that he and his family always knew about God though the relationship part was a little non-committal. He talked about the spirituality he had always practiced. He talked about what he had done for God. He talked about the man he had become.
Then he started talking about his accident. He said he felt helpless. He said he thought he lost everything. If he couldn’t surf as well or be as physical as he once was, who was he? He then started talking about what God had done for him. He recanted the blessings and protection over his family and life. He retold the story about when he saved 4 people’s lives but he gave the credit and glory to God and His timing.
Suddenly, He pulled the car over on the side of the road and started crying–Like face on the steering wheel sobbing. Uh…yup. We sat there in silence for about 5 minutes and then prayed and laughed with him. He told us he was just so amazed by what God had done for him throughout his whole life and who HE was. We eventually got back on the road but that moment made me pause and think.
When was the last time I wept because of the goodness of God? When was the last time I was so moved by His faithfulness?
Yeah, it’s been a little while for me too—probably too long. I mean, He’s good and faithful all the time. In our lives, no matter how unconnected we feel, we always have a way back to Him. He’s always there with a hand extended like in the story with Peter walking on water. Peter was walking on water. When he saw the waves and wind storming around him, he took his eyes off Jesus. Then he fell. However, Jesus was right there and “immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him (Matthew 14:31).” How wonderful to have a safety net like Jesus. How good, how faithful is that.
Hey friends, let’s take 2 minutes and selah about His goodness and faithfulness today.
-essie
