Yesterday had been a long morning… albeit a great morning. Lou and I went to the 9:00 service where Matt joined us for an incredible worship service. When it was over, Matt went home and Lou and I went to our respective service positions. Lou went to work with the kids and I put on my nametag and lanyard and took my post by the door greeting. I love being able to welcome people into our church and then say good-bye to them as they leave, wishing them a great week. Most everybody had walked out and I was getting ready to leave when I turned around to see a young girl standing right next to me. She just started talking to me. I thought she was waiting for someone, but she had come all alone.
Her name was Ezra and when I looked into her eyes and saw the expression on her face, I knew she was broken. For the next fifteen minutes or so, she told me details about her life… details I could not relate with. Her mom died when she was young, her dad’s second wife abused her, she had been married to a woman for ten years. After they split up, she started drinking and doing drugs. Recently, she had been in an accident and barely survived. And just the other day, she lost her job. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she relayed some painful details of her life. In that moment, I knew God brought her to me.
Here were two people standing next to each other… two people with completely different backgrounds. And in that moment, I knew I had what she needed. I had found a love like none other. She had only known hate. I had found freedom. She was still bound up in chains. I had known a forgiving God my whole life. She had only known a harsh world… a world that chewed her up and spit her out. I had an inner joy and peace. She was filled with hurt and pain. And in that moment, she needed to know that she was in a place of safety and love, not a place of judgment or apathy to her plight.
Ezra had also experienced church hurt and had not been in church for years. But on this rainy July morning, she walked in the doors of my church. Not by accident, but by God’s divine orchestration. And it so happened that the message was on family. So, I listened to her. I put my arm around her and let her cry. I prayed with her. I spoke truth into her. I exchanged numbers with her and I plan to follow up with her. I hope she left knowing the TRUE family of God… a family that will love her, walk beside her, help her, disciple her, and guide her to freedom. It was a privilege to be a light to her and extend the love of Jesus to her. Please pray for Ezra.
Our verse in Ephesians reminds us that we should use every opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone… even if we cannot relate to them or they are living a life contrary to the Word of God. Don’t be so distracted or busy with what’s going on that you miss those opportunities. Look around. Is there someone who needs what you have? Is there someone broken or bound up with chains? Is there someone going down a destructive path? Maybe this is your opportunity to walk alongside them and lead them to the place where you found life. Maybe you just need to pray with them or invite them to church or put your arm around them. Let’s use every opportunity. I don’t know if I will ever see Ezra again but I will try. I did what I should have done and now I’m trusting God with the rest. Let this encourage you today.