This is Random and she was delightful

This is RandoM, and she was delightful. February, 2019

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I like throwing curveballs occasionally . . . to be clear, I am not a baseball pitcher, though Dylan and Danny were pretty good, but that was back in our days of Little League, which was many moons ago. Sigh.

Traveling is a great time to freely meet people; indeed, conversations while traveling afford great opportunities to be random. Understand ~ that on my recent cross-country flight, I did not plan to converse with anyone because I was so sleep deprived. And then she sat down, and well, frankly, she was delightful.

The 'p' word came out as a result of sharing where each of us was heading. I explained that I was en route to lead a group of 35 to the beloved Holyland. 'Oh, I see - you're a tour guide?' she asked.

'Well no. I'm a pastor - actually a corporate pastor and ...' 'Wait, what?'

"I haven't met a pastor who looks like you,' she said. 'I mean, look at you . . . you know what I mean, the pink and all.' She hails from Hungary, lives in Denmark, and her very interesting job requires her to travel; hence, our 'chance' meeting. I just couldn't not talk to her because I liked her.

On Thursday last, I was teaching Bible study and referenced some of Jesus' last words to his closest friends - you shall be my witnesses.1 It was Jesus' last charge to those he left in charge of the Gospel message. Apparently they were standing on the Mt. of Olives, (which I will stand upon again this week), just before he ascended to Heaven. Then he told them to go to Jerusalem and wait and pray; they did.2

But what did Jesus mean? Tell other people what you saw me do, what you heard me teach...what you witnessed. Just like in a court of law, a witness simply tells what she personally experienced. Does that still apply to folks today . . . that we are to be Jesus' witnesses? Yessirree! Friend, because we have the truth of God - that he created us, loves us, wants relationship with us, etc., and because we are learning the great truths of how we got here, of our unique purpose and that there is life after death3 ~ we are meant to share.

Simply put, what does that require of us? First, that we have had some understanding or experience of the great love of God - and then, it requires that we do something very basic: talk. to. people.

I see that hand of objection shoot high in the air, 'But I like my time to myself when I fly!' 'But I'm shy . . . it isn't easy for me to strike up a conversation with people!' 
'Can I be honest? I really don't like people that much to make an effort to talk to strangers.'
Then how will you ever obey what Jesus said to do, aye, what he commanded us to do? I guess you won't. Because his simple words, you shall be my witnesses, require that sooner or later, we use words.

So what did she and I talk about? We asked questions, and listened and learned about our totally different upbringing, completely different vocations and lots in life. Gotta tell you - I again hear some of you say, 'but why do you care?' Why do you engage in conversations like these?' Because I find God's creation - all of it, especially people - absolutely fascinating! Engaging in such talk I learn things I would not otherwise know, and make friends from places I would never visit. It is the stuff great living is made of.

Plus, every once in a while, someone asks me about me, and I get to tell about the great adventure of my life--that of being totally convinced and wholly devoted, intellectually challenged, knowing and living out my God-given purpose. I asked she about her purpose-you know, if she knew hers; she looked over her shoulder and said, 'I guess I should have ordered that drink after all,' smiling.

When Jesus was asked what was/is the greatest commandment, he didn't stutter, didn't skip a beat: love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. And the second commandment is like it: love your neighbor as yourself.'4 My purpose springs from those two commands, and so does yours. You can't love others without sharing the greatest thing in your life: life with Jesus.

Freaked out? Don't be. You can start slow. Just talk. to. people. 
Don't like people? Ask God to give you a love for people; he will.

The great adventure? Asking God to put people in your path, people like she.
God's love never fails. Seems I read that somewhere. Random.
By the way, she's name is Linda.

Go ahead ~ share the love...
Talk to people,
talk to people about Jesus.

Christine

PastorWoman.com

1 - Acts 18
2 - read Acts chapter 1 - it is awesome!
3 - Mark 12.30-31