The Lord doesn't work by the world's time tables and appointments, other than His divine appointments. I once heard a missionary say that to be a good missionary, to let the Lord truly work in your life, you must develop the art of interruption – being open to God's divine appointments and being aware of His workings. Expect it, she said, expect to live a life of interruptions.
There's a thought to ponder…
She said that she did not do this well at first because it was annoying to her, but that she would surrender and see God move. She said the more she expected it, the more she could enjoy the process and take joy in how God moves in the daily doings of life. If we keep our vision narrow and only focused on what's ahead, on what we see – a tunnel vision on our to-do list – we won't see God. If we open up our view to include what's around us, we're more open to see God moving and to allowing Him to use us. An open view to the world in action around us helps us to "see" God… in everything.
For me, it's like God has opened my spiritual eyes, and that has allowed me to see God, and in that He helps me see others.
This is how I saw Anderson…
I met Anderson on my way to church on a Tuesday night in Haiti. I was walking with my team as a man called out, "Hey, where are you going?" "To church," I answered and without any hesitation followed it with the words, "Wanna go?" "Yes," he said and he fell in line with me as I walked to church. His breath lingered of alcohol and the more I talked to him, the more I started to wonder if he was high on something… not exactly the condition in which you expect to present a visitor to church. But he said yes, and who am I to say no; the Lord works no matter what condition someone's in. We talked of beliefs and why I was in Haiti, and as we approached the church he recognized our location stating, "Oh yes, my friends go here. I know the pastor."
He hinted that he thought I was lovely and asked of my relationship status. I kindly laughed and said I was taken. At times our conversation was a little hazy due to his condition, but his English was good and I noticed the more we talked, the more coherent he became. From the beginning of our meeting, I silently prayed that the Lord would bring sobriety to him and call Anderson closer to Him. I felt God answering my prayer. We had plenty of time to talk before worship began, and though I noticed the congregation looking at us, I fought off feelings of awkwardness and focused on Anderson as a child of God.
We talked about the lack of jobs in Haiti and about the negative effects of that on the men of Haiti and on the families. He mentioned that after the earthquake he had a job with a church organization as a translator, but that ended a year ago and he hasn't had a job since. He said he believed in God, but I could sense the hopelessness in his voice. Hopelessness, a common spirit in Haiti. I encouraged him that the God he served while working is the same God he serves now; that God has not left Him nor has God turned from Haiti. Anderson repeatedly spoke, "Your kindness" as we talked as if it was the answer to a question, though I wasn't asking anything… I wondered if it was an answer to his prayers.
Worship came and Anderson danced, oh did he dance! He looked so happy and excited to be there, and even though his condition was still a little questionable to the congregation around him, his joy made me smile and I could only sense the Lord's delight over Anderson.
As we sat in preparation for the announcements and eventually the sermon, Anderson turned to me and mentioned he was hungry and that he needed to "make pee." I told him he was free to leave and walked him out. I prayed over him and then waved goodbye as he walked away wondering if he would come back or if that was it.
I went back in and sat down half expecting not to see Anderson again, but minutes later, he came back… and this time with his Bible and a gift. He gave me a drawing he had done, a very good drawing of his uncle he wanted to introduce me to. And he came back the next night to revival and brought a friend, and he came back the next night. He came back, and he came back, and he came back. One night I wasn't feeling well and wasn't there, so he asked the girls where "his friend" was.
Anderson had become my friend, and God used that to draw him closer to Him. I may never see Anderson again on this side of Heaven, but I know I'll see him again. And it all started with a question, a question directed my way, a question that was meant to "interrupt" my walk to church.
Life interrupted ~ Life abundant
Monica
