I took the metro into DC today to get a little of my tourist out. I was meeting a good friend that I pretty much consider a sister, Kelly, and we were going to explore. We ended up doing the speed version of tourism that takes most people multiple days, in just a few short hours. I can say that she and I are officially spies now after our close encounter with true espionage at the Spy Museum (totally worth every penny, especially since we got in free). Overall, it was an incredible day to catch up with a super close friend and hear what God was doing in her life. However, I had a few hours to kill before she got there.
Early this morning, I had this overwhelming need to just pray for our country. Despite all the international travel I do, this is still my number one mission field. Sure, there are crucial needs all over the world, but I see our abundance being the answer to those needs. I long to see more and more people answering the call to go, not necessarily for a lifetime, but for a time to open their eyes. Our abundance alone could wipe out world hunger. But we need leaders to show the way. So I wanted to pray for them.
I didn’t really have a plan, but I took off to the White House and then headed towards the Capital Building. My only thought was to just walk and pray. It was really cool to just pray for our nations’ leaders that were just a few hundred yards away, potentially. I may not always agree with the leadership over me, but they’re still in a huge position of authority and I would much rather pray for direction for them, than to pray for someone else to take over. I was blessed to pray for our country today, and I continue to pray for our leaders.
As I walked away from the White House, I got stopped by Mark. He just asked me, “Do you have some change you could spare for a homeless guy.” I apologized for my lack of funds and told him I was having to essentially beg for my paycheck too. He told me not to apologize because he would disappoint me because he would just use it to buy alcohol. “Something has to keep me warm.” My heart broke, and I froze. What do you say? Telling this guy Jesus would keep him warm didn’t seem like something that was going to warm him up tonight as it dips below 20. How do I respond to that?
I never want to belittle God and think that He can’t do something, so I just opened my mouth to talk. I told this random guy about how God had provided for me to return Philippines and how everything I needed seemed to be supplied. Then I said something that shocked even me, “That doesn’t keep me warm at night, but it gives me a reason to be excited and hopeful for the morning.” As much as I believe Mark’s biggest need is warmth tonight, it’s not really. It’s hope and a reason to wake up. That doesn’t come from this world, especially for many of these guys. God may not supernaturally keep Mark warm tonight, but He’ll wake him up in the morning and give him a purpose.
I want to fulfill the needs of the people I meet, but I don’t want to sell them short of the greatest thing I can provide. The only thing of value I have is this message of the Gospel and it’s the reason I wake up in the morning…
