Stretching My Joy

Tattoos stretched up both of his arms. His neck, hands and calves were just as multicolored as his arms. His earlobes had gauges making holes the size of a quarter. Normally I would have smiled and continued on my way. On this day, however, I felt that nudge, the one I know as God’s Spirit. Without even thinking, my words tumbled out; “Hi. I hope you are feeling blessed today.” In my mind, I wondered why I spoke those words but they were greeted by a smile from this man who looked nothing like me. His response caught me by surprise. He said, “Well, I’ve had better days for sure.” Those words began a conversation about his struggles and about his health. They ended with a shared prayer between two believers whose life styles were very different, but whose hearts knew Jesus as healer and redeemer.

As I walked away from this unexpected encounter, I wondered how many times I had missed similar God appointed opportunities because I stayed in my comfort zone. At the same time, I realized the joy that flooded my heart was the joy of obedience. I recognized in that moment there is nothing better than pleasing God. Then I remembered that I had been praying for God to stretch my faith. I felt a smile emerging and then a joy that began to overflow from the inside out as I kept saying, “Thank you, Lord Jesus!”

Have you ever experienced an encounter with someone where you knew it was ordained by God? Did you feel joy that bubbled up and overflowed in thanks?

What a privilege it is to serve our Lord in ways that only he can orchestrate! The joy that comes from knowing we are pleasing God is indescribable. Giving God permission to increase and stretch our faith means we live expecting to be surprised in our every day wanderings and that – that brings joy from God into every single day!