I'm checking out at Goodwill and playing "what if?"
I want to talk to the girl scanning my items.
But, what if she thinks I'm an idiot?
What if she gets "turned off?"
What if I do more harm than good?
Besides, there's a guy in line behind me. Conversation would delay his checkout.
What if HE thinks I'm an idiot...gets turned off...you know the drill.
Help me Jesus! If I try and share the Gospel...what if chaos erupts, people are screaming and running for the doors...the guy behind me is firing a machine gun. Earthquakes and balls of fire.
But then...what if this girl is desparate for someone to care? What if she WANTS an encounter with God? What if this moment is history shaping - a once in a lifetime opportunity?
What if?
So I look at her nametag. "Jackie, could you use prayer for anything?"
The guy in line just stands there. So far, so good.
Jackie looks up. "What's that?"
Great, I have to say it again.
"Could you use prayer for anything?"
She's nodding. "Yeah, yeah, definitely. I could use some prayer."
"Oh yeah? For what?"
"For my auntie. She went in for a surgery three days ago and she still hasn't woke up. They think she had a stroke or something."
"What's her name?"
"We call her Anna May."
"You guys are close?"
"Very. I'm going to the hospital as soon as I get off work."
"Would you mind if I pray for you now?"
"That would be great." She places her hands on the counter and bows her head.
I notice the machine gunner becomes motionless. His eyes are open but he's waiting and staring at the ground - permission to proceed.
"Jesus...please touch Anna May. I pray against any lasting problems and that she will come out of this coma..."
I pray for maybe thirty seconds. I pray for a miracle and that Jackie will be closer to God.
She shakes my hand and thanks me. The scary guy places his items on the counter. The earth does not swallow us. Nothing burns.
So, what if Jackie goes home and tells her family about the stranger that prayed?
And what if Anna May comes out of that coma within the hour?
And what if Jackie's cousin, who has been riding the fence between atheism and belief hears the story?
And what if he surrenders to God...raises Christian kids...one of those kids starts a church...do you see where I'm going with this?
What if that act of kindness keeps the machine gunner from yelling at his kid today - or worse, shooting up the post office?
What if?
In every moment of life we are faced with "what ifs." Some are good. Some are bad.
Proverbs 26:13 says, "The lazy person claims, 'There's a lion in the road! Yes, I'm sure there's a lion out there!'"
A lazy person is one who chooses comfort over work. When I give in to negative thoughts it's not because I am concerned about others and their responses. It's because I fear discomfort.
And, I'm not trusting Jesus. He said people WANT to hear His message. What's missing is someone who will tell them. (Matt 9:37-38)
So, forget the "what ifs" of fear, laziness, and disbelief.
Embrace thoughts of faith.
What if today we change the world?
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For further, related reading, GO HERE.
Compelling story ... helps me to pray against our lazy spirit who resolves to remain comfortable in fear of the "what ifs"! Please pray for our little international church as we prepare to evangelize the local refugee cummunity door to door starting October 6. Love you HL. Hope you had a wonderful birthday!!!
Thank you for posting this.
This is a big struggle for me (and others i'm sure) quite often. My desire to go into the zone of discomfort has increased a great deal at this moment. Thanks HL.
This was so timely and encouraging me to do more!
it's true. i walways seem to ask the wonrg "what ifs"
God never fails to use you to remind me of what I need to be doing. Thank you!