So the other day I had an encounter with my flesh that was more real than I’ve ever had before! As some of you may know I have had the opportunity to interact with students at my current job and through the local high school next door. In this time I’ve made friendships with people who are all over the spectrum when it comes to social acceptance, popularity, and what is seen as normal behavior. It’s been very interesting to see this, in fact it has blown my mind how unaware I was of this stuff when I was a student even in a small school. That being said, I had a choice the other day at lunch to interact with someone that could be known as one of the uncool and easily picked on at this school.
She is a very sweet girl and always full of joy! I’ve gotten to know her through my job I’m currently at. It wasn’t until I attended lunch on Tuesday that I realized what lunch period she was in. This lunch period is one where one of the students I connect with the best is, and I tend to spend more time at his table because of this. As we had our normal conversation about life and school I saw her about one table over enjoying her lunch. Something in me said, “Silly, go say hello!” Then something else came up inside of me that said, “I don’t think that is smart dude.” The classic angel and devil on my shoulder feeling came into play. After reflecting on this situation I was reminded of this story from Mark’s gospel in the fifth chapter.
“24 So Jesus went with him, and a large crowd was following and pressing against Him. 25 A woman suffering from bleeding for 12 years 26 had endured much under many doctors. She had spent everything she had and was not helped at all. On the contrary, she became worse. 27 Having heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His robe. 28 For she said, "If I can just touch His robes, I'll be made well!" 29 Instantly her flow of blood ceased, and she sensed in her body that she was cured of her affliction.”
The crowd was bigger than what I deal with, but I have found that, by the grace of God, there are a lot of students that want to talk with me. Now my situation is somewhat different than this passage one the level that this girl didn’t come through the crowd to come see me. But I feel as though God used her in my life to remind me of something.
I was literally looking down at her and said to myself, “She’s forgiving and it’s not a big deal if I don’t go say anything to her.” In that moment I felt the Lord say, “Bryan I can’t believe that you feel as though I don’t want to talk with you. I can’t believe that I’m not worth your time for even a small visit.” I’ve gotta tell you, that revelation was spiritually shattering. In the moment I knew that even if this girl wasn’t doing everything she could to see me, that I have the ability to brighten and change the atmosphere of her day by sitting at her table.
Let get one thing straight… We as Christians represent Christ everywhere we are! I repeat… We as Christians represent Christ everywhere we are! Having said that, I eventually got up and went and sat at her table. The student I normally talked with didn’t make a big deal about the visit, and I’m not even sure if he noticed me leaving to go say hello. I do know though that when I sat down at her table, she gave me a smile that could make anybody’s day brighter. The visit was short and enjoyable. This young woman didn’t have to come through the crowds to have an encounter with the Lord. As I write this I realize now that this girl isn’t the woman in the story. I am! The crown of my story are the lies of my flesh, the ideology of our society, and the fear that a move like the one I made would only end up bad for me. Thank you Jesus that on Tuesday you let me touch the hem of your garment and be healed of these things!
Lord, I pray that if there is anyone reading this that struggles in this area at times like I do, that you speak to them as loving, yet stern as you did to me!
The ball is in your court fam, it’s time to decide what your position is, and what role you play in the kingdom in your specific atmosphere. Never let fear hold you back from being the best example of Jesus to someone!
I love you beloved!
