So, I got into a fight today…
I would usually use a title like this to capture the reader’s attention and maybe spin the story another way. Welp, this really happened. Let me explain…
As I was headed to pick up my laundry today, I got detoured by a watermelon jacket and it led me to ministry…
I left our hostel quickly, promising my team I would be back in 5 minutes for our meeting. The laundry shop was right down the road so I knew it would be a quick trip. I walked down the road leading away from our hostel and that is when my plans changed.
I ended up walking behind a mother and her precious 3yr old who was wearing a watermelon jacket and bouncing around in the street. The child was adorable and sporting one of my favorite fruits, so I was quickly captivated with watching her play. Thinking to myself how much more I now loved watermelon. All of a sudden the mother scooped up her child and stopped in her tracks. In that moment, I guessed that either my creeping or the incoming motorcycles had stopped her. In hindsight, I realized it was actually the scene happening a few steps away.
I kept walking, rounded the corner and immediately understood.
I saw an old woman standing outside of her shop. She was trying to push away a man with one hand and had a grip on something else with the other. I walked closer and realized the other hand was holding back a woman. It took a minute for my mind to register what was happening. Both parties were irate, intoxicated and trying to attack one another. Immediately the bystander mentality in me wanted to assume they were just playing around or that it would dissipate and to go about my business. Kinda like I saw everyone else doing as they witnessed it. “No one else was stepping in, what authority did I have to stop it? Was this situation meant for me to handle?” These thoughts lasted for about 3 seconds until I saw the man’s fist make contact. A feeling immediately rose in my chest. So I quickly prayed, remembered whose I was and who God created me to be, and stepped into the situation.
Isaiah 1:17 — learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow.
God got the glory.
I’ll keep the play by play short so that the glory goes to God and not to me for being “brave”. But here’s what took place after stepping in.
Stepping in led to a solution. Another man also stepped in, the man and woman fighting were separated, the woman was not severely injured, and we were able to get her to safety.
In the midst of all of that chaos, I want to tell you where God was throughout it.
- God was the protection over the three people who chose to step in and help.
- God was the calmness that overcame the man and finally got him to walk away.
- God was the bike that rode by with watermelon to feed to woman and make her laugh.
- God was the sense of safety the woman felt while we were sitting on a wall.
- God was my direction when I didn’t know where to take her.
- God was in the trust the woman gave me.
- God was the clear communication in the midst of a language barrier.
- God was the comfort for the tears she shed.
- God was the kindness of the taxi driver.
- God was the timing of me being there alone to help and to have to rely on Him.
God was there the entire time. He never left.
This month on the race, we are in Nepal. It is our 5th month, teams have been changed, and it is an ATL month. It’s all about “asking the Lord” what ministry is supposed to look like and then going out and doing it. There is no rhyme, no reason, and no game plan to it. It’s simply hearing from God and being obedient to what He says. Ministry becomes life and living life becomes ministry. You have to be interruptible and ready for whatever God has planned.
Stepping in to help was one of those moments. That one moment made me so excited for what else God has in store! Although I’d prefer if the rest of ministry left out fighting, if it brings God glory, I’ll put on my armor and step in every time.
**DISCLAIMER. My God is a protector but He also gave us wisdom. Before stepping into anything that could potentially harm you or elevate a situation, make sure you have a clear go ahead from God, have someone else around who is equipped to help, or you call for the appropriate help. In this situation, I was alone and things could’ve gone wrong. I am willing to make that sacrifice but it’s not a necessary if it’s not what God is telling me to do in the moment. Pray, listen, ACT. In that order.**
