“So, as the Holy Spirit says:
Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts.”
Hebrews 3:7-8 (NIV)
When I was in my early twenties, I had a fun job working in the Merchandise Mart of Chicago. Long before I went into the medical field, I managed a one person commercial furniture showroom, giving price quotes to dealers, architects and designers.
It was an easy, good paying and stress free job. One of the perks was an annual furniture show, where every company in that industry, showcased their newest designs to professionals in the field. There were social events to follow each evening of a three day convention, where I met many people in the commercial furniture sales and designer industry.
After meeting some of the sales people who came in for the convention, I remember sitting and talking with one salesman, in particular, whose name was Woody. He was from a nearby midwest state and as we briefly chatted, I felt a strange urging to bring up the subject of my faith, but it just didn’t seem like the right time or place to talk about God.
I ignored the prompting, and went on to socialize with other people.
I was probably too self absorbed at the time, to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit amidst the noise in the room that day.
A few weeks later, I was shocked and saddened to hear that Woody committed suicide. I felt horrible and since then, sharing my faith with others, became a passion, since I regretted ignoring the Holy Spirit and missed my cue to share my faith with Woody.
Fast forward twenty years later, when I worked in health care at a local hospital. It was a very slow work day, so a coworker and I were sitting in the Neuroscience lab, talking. He was telling me how difficult life was for him as a parent of a disabled daughter, who required a lot of specialized care and attention. He and his wife were overwhelmed with work schedules and trying to care for their daughter.
I had no experience or advice to offer him, but took the opportunity to pray with him right there, in that empty lab where we worked. I had no idea how that prayer would change his life, but I wasn’t going to miss any cues again, as I did with Woody.
Since that day and that prayer, he wholeheartedly invited Jesus to take over his stress filled life and was so grateful. He and his family moved out of state, where he found a better job and a more affordable cost of living, making it possible to provide better care for their daughter. He sent me a letter saying how his family’s lives have changed for the better, because of their renewed faith in Jesus. I was astounded that it all began with a simple prayer in the lab that day.
The Spirit was obviously drawing his heart closer for some time, and I just happened to be there at the right moment to pray with him. When Jesus said to go into the world and preach the gospel to every person, He wasn’t speaking only to ordained pastors, deacons or priests. He sends all who know Him to share their faith with others along the way. We don’t need special credentials to do this, but only to listen to the Spirit, speak and pray as prompted.
That missed opportunity with Woody still makes me very sad, but I use it to motivate myself to listen to the Spirit, despite the noise of this busy world. I am still learning over time, to hear the Spirit’s voice and not harden my heart, knowing we are all God’s work in progress.
When I reflect on these past experiences, I am more aware of the possibility that whoever I meet today, might have been sent into my life for a purpose.
God intended for all of us to build each other up in the faith, and to hear His voice amidst this world’s noise.
Lord, thank you for loving and holding on to us, despite our failures. Help us to share your love with those who are sent into our lives for your purpose. Amen
