The Final Day
Saturday, July 1st was our final full day in
Chicago. We had no real plans other than helping with an international church
service late in the afternoon. After a long week, the opportunity to sleep in
sounded very nice. At about 8:30 AM most of our team members were up and ready
to go.
Pete’s coffee had become a regular spot for me in the
mornings. If I’ve learned one thing over the last few years it’s how important
it is to show your face in the same place in order to build relationships with
the people. I noticed that even though I had only been coming in for a few
days, the workers now greeted me with a much more friendly smile.
Pete’s was about a 2 block walk from our hotel. As I turned
out of the door I noticed I had a missed call from an old friend. It was the
perfect day for us to reconnect. I didn’t have anything planned until later in
the afternoon and so I immediately called to see if we could get together. I
had absolutely no clue the meeting that God was arranging.
Over the next 4 hours I had the privilege of sitting in the
back of coffee shop and talking about the supremacy of Christ. God had brought
me to Chicago for a few general things, and for one specific thing, this
conversation. My friend and I talked about Christ and how he surpasses any
momentary happiness or fulfillment that is found in seeking the things of this
world. We talked about heartbreak and disappointment in life and how a
believers identity is found in their relationship with Christ.
As we walked deeper into conversation I began to fully
appreciate God’s sovereign hand in places us in specific situations and moments
for a specific purpose. Many things came to mind. I thought back to the loss of
my dad and the struggle over the years that would follow. I thought back to my
battle with Crohn’s disease and the depression and doubt that God delivered me
from. I also thought back to the anger and hatred towards others, and the
freedom that came when I finally offered forgiveness.
While talking, I realized that the more I told my friend
about the supremacy of Christ, the more I remembered what it was like to experience
these things at different moments in my life. It felt almost like I was
reliving all of these events but without the heartache or pain. The more we
talked, the more I realized the grace of God, and how patient he has been with
me.
As our conversation began to come to a close I realized all
of the events in my life that had led me to sit in that chair in Chicago. It
suddenly hit me that God, in his infinite wisdom, had brought me to Chicago for
that very moment and that very conversation. I’ve always heard that God
arranged meetings; this was the first time in my life I realized that while
experiencing the moment.
The rest of the afternoon was a blur until the international
service. We had the privilege of watching students from all over the world come
together in a small room to sing hymns and study God’s word. It was amazing to
hear all of these students join together for the sake of Christ. So many
different backgrounds and families, and yet, all united in the family of God.
These are my brothers and sisters; your brothers and
sisters. They were all different from me. As I surveyed the faces I realized
that this room of believers demonstrated the gospels ability to save. The word
of God and the message of Christ is the power of God unto salvation no matter what
continent it is preached on or what people it is preached to.
As I sit here, I’m trying to reflect back to my time last
week. I came into Chicago not really knowing what to expect. I left Chicago
with a new appreciation of the gospel, and God’s sovereign hand in my life. I
would like to ask you to pray for the people that God allowed me to meet in
Chicago, and for those who we were able to share the gospel with. There were
many who did not want to hear, and many who openly rejected the word. The truth
is, God doesn’t send us places to save people. He sends us places to be
faithful in the preaching and proclaiming of the gospel of Christ.
Blessings,
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