John 4:32

I rode all the way from where I was keeping watch with the people who were helping me build my wall. A good 25 minutes from here. So as they asked leave to have their lunch, I went out instead, planning to spend the quick break to give away the tracts I brought with me. As usual, without knowing where to go. I tried the nearby local market which by this time only had a few people (I assumed everyone is having their meal.) Then I rode on to Northville, another populated part of the area but just the same, even after searching the side streets, only a few people were on the road minding their business. So I went back and headed farther out. As always, wherever the Lord leads. I remembered the same park where I recently gave tracts away had a few people sitting around passing time and thought that might be a good place today. It was there that I met this man.

The man asked for alms as I walked past him from where I parked towards a food joint to use the restroom. I did not quite catch what he said, but it was something along the lines of, "spare change for food please." I confess to having ignored him the first time. But I was stirred inside to go back and talk to him. So I did.

There was nothing intricate about this encounter. I spoke to him in plain simple language. Though as I listen to what I said now, it seemed lacking and could have been better. But I wanted him to understand the essential thing: Christ died to take his place, and it is only through faith in Christ that he can come to God the Father. Will he get anything out of it? I do not know. I merely sowed the seed. God will give the increase.

If ever you're reading this and thought, "My, he did a good deed", you read this all wrong. On my part, there was nothing good. I have had delivery people knocking on my door to hand over my orders, but they received nothing more than a quick 'thank you' from me. But what I do is I take time to thank the sender. What makes this day so hurtful to me is that I saw my wretchedness in the Lord's goodness to this man. I have attained nothing worthy to bring this man the good news of my Christ, and yet the Lord gave me this tremendous privilege. In opening up the opportunity to tell the good news to this man, God has filled my hunger for food with something far more precious: gladness.

Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us,
But unto thy name give glory,
For thy mercy, and for thy truth’s sake. 

Psalm 115:1