Does anyone else hate when they get a leak in their car tire or am I the only one? That is the worst! I always seem to find out while driving down the interstate when some dude honks at me from a lane over and points at the lower section of my vehicle. That’s the worst feeling yet the nicest gesture I can receive while driving. My emotions swing from both extremes of the “emotional richter scale.”
My first thought is always, “Dude, you're the man. You are living proof that there are still nice people in the world. Give him a Nobel peace prize or something.” But my next thought is always, “Stink, why did he tell me that? I probably could have gone three weeks without even noticing, and now I have to worry about this!” Of course the latter reasoning is pretty off base, but still, I don’t want that kind of news! I don’t like it. Nobody does.
This just recently happened to me this past weekend. I drive every weekend to a ministry here in Oceanside, CA about 2.5 hours away from home, so my car can get a little beat up at times. Anyway, after receiving the awesome news about my tire, I pulled into the parking lot just off the freeway and found a spot in front of the local subway restaurant. “Perfect.” I thought. I was hungry anyway, so I walked inside to grab a sandwich.
While standing in line, I noticed a sharp guy, probably in his mid 20’s. He was clean cut. He had his shirt tucked in, and he had this kind demeanor about him. Immediately the Lord began prompting me, and immediately I began to negotiate. For some reason, this never goes my way! After thirty seconds of this negotiating, we came to an agreement. “Okay Lord, if he turns and says anything to me, I’ll be your witness.”
About 10 seconds later, this guys turns to me with a smile and says, “I think they play this song every time I come in here, man!”
Lord, that was quick! A little too quick maybe. I stood there in shock for a second, then came to my senses. God really opened the door, and we began talking.
Mid-conversation, he asked me, “So, let me get this straight. You drive 2.5 hours just to come to church?”
“Yep!” I replied.
“Really? Wow. There must something special about this church to make you drive all the way down here, yeah?”
Ha! It wasn’t exactly, “What must I do to be saved” but it was close! The Lord continued to work. His one comment to me grew into a 30 minute conversation about Christ and the different religions that are out there. His name is Jay, he is a marine that lives near San Diego, California. Unfortunately, Jay did not get saved that day, but the seed was planted. Pray that Jay comes to know Christ sooner than later!
I did not tell you this story to boast about my witnessing skills (as they are only timid at best), but rather to say that sometimes God will use unusual circumstances to bring these divine appointments into your life. When these times come, don’t be so angry with your “flat tire.” Don’t be so consumed with your petty problems, but rather be consumed with Christ. May this be a challenge to all of us to be the light that God has called us to be.
Matthew 5:14-16 says, “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Don’t skip over the verse, go back and read it. Read it carefully.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to stand before Christ one day and wish that I had done more. I don’t want to hide my light so that people in subway don’t know I’m a Christian. I don’t want this “vapor” of a life to pass me by without having done my best to shine the light of Christ wherever I go. Christ said, “Ye are the light of the world...” YOU are the light. You are GOD’s light. So may we do our best to stop ignoring it and start embracing it!
