When traveling, you drive through many towns. You get a glimpse and move on. You might stop at a restaurant, mingle a bit, see a little more, then continue on your drive. Go on vacation and spend a few weeks and you start to know the locals, see their lifestyles, and maybe even move beyond small talk. Decide to move into the neighborhood and your whole life changes.
Back in the fall, I drove into a new world. I asked a lost friend to lunch. We chatted, ate and went our separate ways. In early January I visited ”a different world” (check it out here) and saw a little more of her life. I started thinking about how with a few changes in circumstances, that’s the world in which I could have ended. I visited. It changed me. But then I got the feeling I was being called to stay a little longer. God wanted me keep returning, to learn a little more, to become a neighbor. He wanted me to move into a different world…He was calling me to move into her life. It happened Friday night…
Jesus: Give her a call. Check in on her.
Me: I will. I’m sort of busy today though. Maybe tomorrow. Plus if I do much more, it won’t be just checking in. I’ll be getting more involved and well, people might find out. I would have to tell her parents.
Jesus: Give her a call. I need you to do your part.
Me: But Jesus, you know her name is not even allowed to be spoken around her parents, especially her father. And they are my friends. I might lose their friendship. You know how they helped me during my rough times, how they became “my family”. Jesus, I can’t lose that. Someone else can call Diane. I did enough. Why do I have to risk losing? Why would I take the chance?
Jesus: I need you because you have connected with her. Whether you like it or not, you are someone to her. I need you to do your part.
Me: But I’m comfortable. I don’t like change. I like knowing what’s going to happen. Can you just promise me that I won’t lose my friends? Can you promise me that I truly will make a difference in Diane’s life? Can you promise me that it will all be ok? Can you promise me…
Jesus: I will promise to be with you.
Me: But…
Jesus: Trust. Faith. Commitment. Are you committed to following me, without knowing what will happen next, without knowing all the answers? Are you willing to risk being uncomfortable to take a chance that you may help save a life to me?
Me: I guess I am. I know it’s you pushing me. I’m afraid. I don’t want to be rejected. I know there’s no turning back if I move forward any more. I know you want me to move in…so I guess I will…um…when the opportunity comes up…
Me: Hello. How are ya? I’ve been thinking about calling you but just haven’t gotten a free minute. Glad you called.
Diane: I wondered if you could babysit Mia? Ryan and I wanted to go to the movies. I know it’s last minute. I know it’s probably kind of weird me calling but I thought maybe you could watch her.
Me: Ummm…when were you thinking?
Diane: Well, soon.
Jesus: This is your opportunity…
Me: (Jesus, I’m not sure about this, but I guess I have to trust…). Ummm…yeah sure, in fact I’m already driving. As long as you don’t mind Mia going with me to Bible study, I’ll be right over to get her. And I can head back to your apartment when I get done ’til you get home. I’ll be right over.
Jesus: You’re doing the right thing…
Me: (Jesus, I still don’t know about this. I’m leaning on you for this one.)
Ryan: Hey, how ya doing? This is really awesome of you to babysit. We don’t get to go out much. We really appreciate it…..
Me: (Wow, he’s really talking…and talking…he was so suspicious of me…he only mumbled ‘hi’ to me last time…wow) Yeah, you caught me at the right time. Glad it’s going to work out. (Jesus, I’m leaning big time here…). Have a great time and don’t rush home…
Me: Wow, you really brought me out of my safe little world on this one. Did you see Ryan’s tattoos? He’s not exactly one of your followers. And the books? And movies? And…
Jesus: Remember, they are not really different from you. Do you remember when…? This could have been your home…this could have been your life. You know me because of a few people who took a chance on you. Are you willing to trust me and take a chance on Diane and Ryan? And don’t forget little Mia…
Me: There’s no way I can back out now. Hmmm…there’s no way I can get out of telling her parents that I’m connected now. This is going to change everything. Can I get a promise now? I don’t want to lose my friends…I don’t want them to think I am betraying them…I want to know…
Jesus: I promise I will be with you. Her parents will be ok no matter what you do. She may not be.
Me: But why me? I am nobody. I am not ready for this type of thing. I can’t do this. You’ve got the wrong person. There’s no way…
Jesus: Trust…
Me: Yeah, Mia was great. Everything went well. You have a good time?
Diane and Ryan: Yeah, we really appreciate this. It was really nice of you. Here, take this money
Me: (What do I do here? I know they need it but I know taking advantage of others has been a problem so I should’t just tell them no. Ummm…little help here Jesus…you’re with me right??) I can’t take all that, that’s too much.
Ryan: I want you to have it. We appreciate what you did tonight. If you don’t want to take it, put it in the collection plate…
Me: Hey, great idea. In fact, we’re having a fundraiser at church Sunday to build a pavilion in memory of a little girl who died. It will really be appreciated…
Me: Jesus, did you hear that? Did he really say put it in the collection? And he was serious!! Not only was he talking to me tonight like I was a friend, but…the collection plate…did you hear all that??!! And he meant it!!!!
Jesus: Trust me…
Me: I think I moved into a different world. I know I have to talk to her parents now. But I know it’s you. I know it’s right. I’m still afraid. I don’t want to lose. But if it’s really you…and I know it is…
Jesus: Trust me. I promise I will be with you…
Filed under: Christian life, Church, Evangelism, Faith, Friendship, My Life, Thoughts
I think that it is a great thing that you are doing. I hope that if I am ever in that position to tell someone about God and help them out I take full advantage of it.
To me, this was a very touching, inspiring, and convicting post. It is so hard to give up being comfortable! And I struggle with the whole “What will (fill in a name) think if I do that?” thing. I just had a Jehovah’s Witness mother/daughter team stop by last Friday. I ended up witnessing to them simply because I asked them if they realized that Jesus is Jehovah. I had no intention of doing any of that, but the Lord just directed. We never know what will happen when we obey His leading.
I’m very proud of you….
I wish that more people in your position would do the same. My circumstances are probably closer to your friends than your own and I think that it is a shame that classism seems to be a growing problem. We have, for the most part dealt with racial segregation now it seems that class will be the new battleground. Remember many of those community leaders may be just as lost, a healthy bank balance is no indication of the content of a person’s heart.
Whatever you do for the least of these, you have done it for me.
Great job steppin’ out. Its scary and we don’t always do it right or well, but follow Jesus. He’s already there with your friend. I like how you heard Jesus’ voice saying “you do your part”. I forget that often. Keep us informed on your relationship.
as a christian who designs her own tattoos, please dont let Ryan’s tattoos put you off. so often people cant get past appearances, and i’m glad that Christ’s leading you past them in this situation! i just hope my mom’ll be so cool when she finds out about my latest tattoo
trust me, so often it’s the people who seem the farthest away from God who are actually the closest to turning to Him. and sometimes we label people before we give them a chance, but my tattoo artist, who’s got a shaved head, multiple piercings and is covered in tattoos, he used to be an architect, and he’s a very intelligent, gentle and gifted guy. my mom would probably judge him instantly as trouble which makes me sad, because he’s an awesome guy.
Ellie–you are so right about judging about tattoos and piercings…I left out of my post a lot about WHAT those tattoos are and what else was in the apartment. Some of my favorite people have multiple piercings and tattoos… But again, even knowing where Ryan is at, God is amazing and no one is beyond reach. I’m excited to be accepted by them also…
ur awesome *hugs*
Excellent practical illustration of what I was trying to say in what I wrote “my second turning”…I loved the way you shared what Jesus seemed to saying to you as you processed the situation…I too love talking w/ and interacting w/ people who may be a little “rough” around the edges..their hearts are often closer to God than people who appear to have it all together….excellent post! DM
this is so awesome and beautiful and it’s lovely how you recounted exactly how you felt and how He spoke to you and got it all down. we can all relate to it. blessed weekend to you!
Way to go. Continue to follow the promptings and see what develops. I’d love to read follow ups. Continue to pray, asking God’s guidance.
Thanks for visiting.
Pastor Chris
Evangelism Coach.org