For those of you who knew me at all in my “former” life (you know, the sensible one that I led in the States), you knew that if I wasn’t in my office during the day, I was more than likely at the local Starbucks. I was there so much that most of the baristas knew me by name and would ask me if I wanted my “usual.” Instead of accepting it as an obsession, however (I’m still in denial), I would explain it away by saying that it was my ministry. And sometimes it even came close. I got a couple of employees to read Don Miller’s
Blue Like Jazz: Nonreligious Thoughts on Christian Spirituality, which was a pretty big “amen!” and almost got one guy to come to an Easter service. But other than that, I just had to trust that the Lord was planting seeds.
Here in J-Bay, however, it’s been a little different, much to my surprise and joy. Since we arrived here in September, I’ve been going to one particular coffee shop, and getting to know the staff pretty well. Details would be exhausting to recount (not to mention add fuel to the whole “addiction” claim), but suffice it to say that the Lord has allowed me to build some incredible relationships with many of the waiters, as well as one of the managers.
Surprisingly enough, many of them have a long history in the church, but for one reason or another, have really walked away from the Lord, which brings me to my prayer request:
I’m preaching again tomorrow nights at Deo Doxa, the church that Christina and I have been attending and getting more involved with in the past few months. The timing couldn’t have been worse, as I have about a billion other things on my plate, but as I’m learning, not saying “no” immediately is just like saying “Sure, I’d love to do that. Sign me up!!” So I’ve been praying about this talk since last Sunday, and I’m excited about the words that the Lord is forming on my heart to speak.
But I’m even more excited about the fact that at least three of the staff of my coffee shop, the ones with whom I’ve been able to build the best relationships, are planning on coming tomorrow night to hear me speak. I really feel that one of them is truly ripe for the Spirit to do some major surgery on his heart, which is totally exciting. But I don’t think that any of the three have stepped foot into a church in a couple of years, so this is a huge step forward in them allowing the Lord to take hold of them for His glory.
Admittedly, I’m a little nervous. I’m nervous about what I’m going to say, and I’m nervous about what they’re going to think, and I’m nervous about what I’m going to say to them after it’s over. So know that I would appreciate any and all prayers that could be lifted up for me, and especially for them. I’m sure that it’s all in His hands, but sometimes I wonder (stupidly, of course) if that’s enough. I praise God for this amazing opportunity and truly want to make it for His glory. Thanks for joining with me in that! I can’t wait to post about all of the incredible things that came about as a result of His work tomorrow night and forward!
