It was just a normal day. Nothing really out of the ordinary. We were making a few cuts to our monthly budget and in doing so were making a change regarding our internet service provider. I was awaiting the arrival of the technician when the doorbell rang. I went to the door and there stood an Angel.
He wasn't 10 feet tall, wielding a sword, or adorned in white. He didn't have wings and I didn't fall to the ground "sore" afraid. He was cloaked in technician attire but I knew immediately he was an Angel. How you ask? I'll get to that in a moment.
After he did most of his installation procedures, he was about to wrap things up. The two of us were alone in the office, when he looked at me and began to share something very heavy on his heart. He was weighed down with something and he needed a listening ear. He didn't need advice, he needed truth and he took a chance with me a complete stranger. I say a complete stranger, but this fellow believer seemed to understand the concept of the "household of faith." He knew I too was a believer and for him that seemed to indicate we had a relational connection that made this a safe place to share his heart. So, he went for it. He held nothing back. He spilled it all out there hoping I could hear from heaven for him.
At first I was a little dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what was happening. I just ordered internet service and thought this would be a quick in and out procedure. But, while waiting for the lights on the newly installed modem and router to indicate the install was complete, I found myself engaged in kingdom business. I knew this was not a chance meeting but a divinely ordained encounter. I sat there staring into this young man's eyes and I saw hurt, disappointment, and confusion. Suddenly my internet speed and how much money I was going to be saving became irrelevant. I was no longer simply a customer here, but was now an instrument in the hands of God. I was an ambassador from another kingdom entrusted to speak on behalf my King.
After I listened carefully to him sharing his heart, I spoke. I didn't shy away from speaking the truth even though it ran the risk of being rejected. I didn't sugar coat it in order to try to make it appear more palatable. I looked him in the eye and I spoke to the root issues in his life, and he acknowledged I was right on. With humility he sat there in front of me, hanging on every word. He was man at a crossroads in his life and longed for change. Real change. He didn't need to hear a 3 point sermon on how to change followed by an altar call. He was determined to change right then and there in my office while installing my new internet service.
When we were finished I asked him if I could pray for him and his eyes filled with tears. I prayed for him, and assured him I would continue to pray for him. As he left I thought to myself, how often are we surrounded by people just like him? Individuals who are hurting. Individuals who a looking for real answers. And how many times do we hurry through life distracted by things that blind us to the needs of those people. This encounter was easy for me because he started the conversation. But how many out there are longing for us to start the conversation? How many of our waiters/waitresses are needing us to start the conversation? How many of our bank tellers are wanting someone to start the conversation? How many of our neighbors need desperately for us to start the conversation? I'm convinced there are people all around us that are a simple conversation away from a life changing encounter with their Creator. I'm just wondering who among us is willing to speak?
You're probably thinking as I described my Angel visitation that he didn't resemble any angels you've read about in Scripture. I can assure you however that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the man who came into my home that day was indeed an Angel. How, you ask? When I opened the door I clearly saw his name tag that read...."Angel."
He wasn't 10 feet tall, wielding a sword, or adorned in white. He didn't have wings and I didn't fall to the ground "sore" afraid. He was cloaked in technician attire but I knew immediately he was an Angel. How you ask? I'll get to that in a moment.
After he did most of his installation procedures, he was about to wrap things up. The two of us were alone in the office, when he looked at me and began to share something very heavy on his heart. He was weighed down with something and he needed a listening ear. He didn't need advice, he needed truth and he took a chance with me a complete stranger. I say a complete stranger, but this fellow believer seemed to understand the concept of the "household of faith." He knew I too was a believer and for him that seemed to indicate we had a relational connection that made this a safe place to share his heart. So, he went for it. He held nothing back. He spilled it all out there hoping I could hear from heaven for him.
At first I was a little dumbfounded. I couldn't believe what was happening. I just ordered internet service and thought this would be a quick in and out procedure. But, while waiting for the lights on the newly installed modem and router to indicate the install was complete, I found myself engaged in kingdom business. I knew this was not a chance meeting but a divinely ordained encounter. I sat there staring into this young man's eyes and I saw hurt, disappointment, and confusion. Suddenly my internet speed and how much money I was going to be saving became irrelevant. I was no longer simply a customer here, but was now an instrument in the hands of God. I was an ambassador from another kingdom entrusted to speak on behalf my King.
After I listened carefully to him sharing his heart, I spoke. I didn't shy away from speaking the truth even though it ran the risk of being rejected. I didn't sugar coat it in order to try to make it appear more palatable. I looked him in the eye and I spoke to the root issues in his life, and he acknowledged I was right on. With humility he sat there in front of me, hanging on every word. He was man at a crossroads in his life and longed for change. Real change. He didn't need to hear a 3 point sermon on how to change followed by an altar call. He was determined to change right then and there in my office while installing my new internet service.
When we were finished I asked him if I could pray for him and his eyes filled with tears. I prayed for him, and assured him I would continue to pray for him. As he left I thought to myself, how often are we surrounded by people just like him? Individuals who are hurting. Individuals who a looking for real answers. And how many times do we hurry through life distracted by things that blind us to the needs of those people. This encounter was easy for me because he started the conversation. But how many out there are longing for us to start the conversation? How many of our waiters/waitresses are needing us to start the conversation? How many of our bank tellers are wanting someone to start the conversation? How many of our neighbors need desperately for us to start the conversation? I'm convinced there are people all around us that are a simple conversation away from a life changing encounter with their Creator. I'm just wondering who among us is willing to speak?
You're probably thinking as I described my Angel visitation that he didn't resemble any angels you've read about in Scripture. I can assure you however that I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the man who came into my home that day was indeed an Angel. How, you ask? When I opened the door I clearly saw his name tag that read...."Angel."
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