I had coffee with a young man last week, just to hear his story of faith. I had met him previously at an event and we had had a brief conversation, but I wanted to hear more, the long version of his story – his God story.

I never grow old of how the Holy Spirit just shows up and pursues someone. 

This particular story takes place in the country of Lithuania, where my wife and I spend about 5 months each year serving with an amazing church. This church is filled with people who were pursued by God and simply had to say yes.

For this young man, other than some Catholic church engagements growing up, his family had no significant connection to faith in Jesus. And he himself felt no draw to Christianity. 

University years led him down a path of various and sundry “substance enjoyments”. Studying outside the country didn’t help things either. He moved back home.

“By chance”, he was invited to an event one evening that had some artists providing a training session and they “happened” to share their faith in Jesus. This led to him being invited to a church service where he invited his then girlfriend to. She was even more skeptical than he was. Yet when she walked into the service, she felt a hug, not from a person, but something outside of her. After the service a woman “randomly” came up and offered to pray for her. She wanted to say no and leave but found herself saying yes. It all changed from there.

Four years later, they continue to grow in faith, have gotten married, and are moving forward in life and faith.

For no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them to me, and at the last day I will raise them up. As it is written in the Scriptures, ‘They will all be taught by God.’ Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me. Matthew 6 (NLT)

As someone who is always watching for the next person God wants to send my way, my radar was ringing strong. Who is walking alongside this young man? Who will be available to help the roots grow deep?

Thus, we had coffee. So I could hear the long story, be encouraged, and ask the question: who is coming alongside you?

I never grow tired of these stories and the opportunities they provide to build into someone. 

You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others. 2 Timothy 2:2 (NLT)

How about you? Have you enjoyed an amazing God-story lately? Did it make your heart leap in awe? Was your radar ringing? Did you consider what your role in this person’s life could be?

We are called to “make disciples of all nations”. We will each have various ways by which we will go about that, yet the call is still there.

I’m grateful for the opportunities to impact a life. How about you?

The Spirit shows up – be ready to serve.

For the kingdom.

I think that most of my frustration with God has been because I am trying to create the God I want and not worshipping the God who is. I have a version of life that I desire and that I am convinced is the best way for life to go (at least for me, I don’t really think about what other people may want). And, as a “good Christian” I want to make sure that it aligns with the bible and my prayers, so I find ways to have the scriptures read appropriately and I pray in ways that appear to be God honouring as I work to manipulate God into acting in the “right ways”.

I’ve recently been reflecting on the scriptures leading up to Jesus’ death. Each day I’ve been guided to sit in silence for 30 minutes after reading a section and allowing it to shape me. 

In my thoughts, I sit on a dirt mound near the three crosses and watch what is taking place. The soldiers are simply doing their job, one more person to crucify. Gambling for Jesus’ clothing, laughing, mocking. In their world, Jesus was a nobody. Perhaps they had heard him teach here and there, but he was nothing to pay attention to. 

Some people walk by, mocking Jesus as they pass. Many of them had most likely heard Jesus teach, perhaps a friend of theirs had been healed. They had enjoyed the parade into Jerusalem a few days prior, but now Jesus hung on a cross, no more use for them. Disappointed that he wasn’t all they wanted him to be.

Two “revolutionaries” are hung on either side of Jesus. They also mock him. This wouldn’t be the day that this great man saved himself and them with him.

The religious leaders gleefully mock Jesus. Thankfully for them, Jesus wasn’t what he said he was. They had lost so much honour the past three years as Jesus consistently revealed their lack of depth and understanding of God. They were glad to be getting their honour back, being on top once again. This is how the world should work in their eyes.

Many women are standing by and watching, sadness in their eyes, a pain in their hearts. Perhaps still hoping Jesus would come through, not giving up hope, grateful for the years spent with him, yet disappointed in this outcome.

Nowhere to be seen are the many disciples – the twelve plus many others who were with Jesus over the past three years. They had no idea what to do now.

Jesus wasn’t what anyone thought he was, should be or needed him to be from their perspective. He was such a disappointment.

In all of this, I was forced to think about the God I am following. The God who is, or the God that I have designed to suit my purposes?

And as I come alongside others to guide them in their faith journey, how am I representing the God who I am calling them to follow? Am I creating the God I want, or am I following the God who is? Am I sitting in the discomfort of the life the Spirit so often will call me into? Because it is not about my kingdom but God’s Kingdom? Am I disappointed with God, or living in “the fear of the Lord” which is the beginning of wisdom?

For the Kingdom.