It was a brisk Fall Monday morning a couple of weeks ago, and like a fish out of water this suburban mama was headed into the big city of Chicago for the day. I had recently applied for an international Visa, and the backed-up-more-than-usual consulate suggested that I show up in person to submit my paperwork in order to meet my travel deadline. Now, I don’t have a whole lot of experience in the city, but I’m always up for a fun challenge and a great cup of coffee on Michigan Avenue. So I kissed four foreheads off to school and hopped in the ol’ minivan to embark on my early morning adventure.
I had my entire day mapped out: spend my nearly five hour round trip commute catching up on phone calls and singing worship music at the top of my lungs, leisurely arrive in the city around lunchtime, find a fun restaurant for lunch (and maybe even splurge on dessert!), window shop on my walk to the consulate office, submit my paperwork, take a selfie in front of cool downtown buildings to show my kids, and then grab a legit cup of coffee for the drive home… making sure to whip in my driveway before the afternoon school bus drop off. What had started out as an inconvenience was shaping up to be the best day ever!
But then about an hour into my drive, my phone rang.
It was my agent at the Visa processing office, and she had just realized that she had forgotten to let me in on one very important detail. “What time will you be arriving? In-person Visa application submissions are only accepted until 11:00am each day.”
Gulp.
I was due to arrive about 10:30am, but this is the city, ya’ll. After toll roads, traffic, tunnels, parking, walking, security, high-rise buildings and waiting my turn, there was no way.
She would have my paperwork ready, and was even willing to meet me on the street to hand off my documents. Park here. Look for me there. Then run three blocks down, eighteen floors up, and take a number. You can do this.
Lord, have mercy.
I arrived downtown, and my picture-perfect day began to quickly crumble before my eyes. I got stuck in a tunnel, I had to park seven blocks away, I was in desperate need of a restroom, and the crowd on the street was less than gracious. Like me, the sidewalks were filled with people who seemed to be on such a mission – so self-consumed and in a hurry, looking down, pushing their way through, often rude and impatient.
Sweaty, out of breath, and miraculously with (literally) two minutes to spare, I walked through the doors of my final destination. And then something – someone – so radically different from the culture I had just encountered on the streets met me at the front desk and stopped me in my tracks.
His name was Walter, and he was a tall giant of a man. I could see his gentle smile from a mile away, and his voice was smooth, cheerful, and full of reassurance when he met my plight. As he worked quickly and waited for security to approve my entry, through that big, genuine smile he spoke of the blessings of the day and how grateful he was for another chance to serve others. If I was a skeptic, I would have thought he was a fake – almost too good to be true. He was so kind. So patient. So honoring. So joyful. But I couldn’t deny the authenticity in his countenance. The peace and joy that radiated from him came from a much deeper place from within.
By this time it was 11:02am, but Walter had struck a chord deep within me, and I had to take time to say it.
I reached out my hand and squeezed his. “Walter, you love Jesus, don’t you?”
His eyes sparkled and he let out a little laugh. “Why, yes ma’am, I surely do. He’s a friend like no other.”
I told him I could see it all over his face, and that Jesus had him at that entrance for a far bigger purpose than just being the gatekeeper.
He was a Kingdom seeker, and he was changing the world one smile at a time.
“They stop us in our tracks because they live such countercultural lives. In a society that fights for what’s right, fair, and easy, there is something radically different about these people. When you run across them, you can’t miss them. And after you’ve been in their presence, you can’t stop thinking about how stunning their behavior is. What they do simply doesn’t make sense to the rest of the world, and they illicit the blaring question, ‘What is it about these people that make them so different?’ Maybe, like me, you’ve run across these Jesus followers. Through the eyes of grace, they meet life head-on. They’re forgiven, and so they’re free.”
“Free to love.
Free to hope.
Free to dance.
Free to forgive.
Free to find joy.
Free to let go.
Free to truly live.” – You Are Forgiven, pp. 183, 185
I walked out of that building fifteen minutes later with my paperwork submitted and a whole new perspective on my purpose for that day. Walter and I fist-bumped on my way out, and I decided that I’d spend the seven block walk to my van engaging the people around me. A smile here. A thank you there. An awareness to offer help and grace where needed. Lord, help one small act to make a difference for someone who needs to see You today.
Because there is One who modeled love so perfectly for us, by His power we can follow in His footsteps …
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
Oh Jesus, this world desperately needs to see You. Help us to stop, look, listen… and love like You.
At His feet,
*Let’s talk: In our 1 Corinthians 13 “love” verses for today, which characteristic of love is most difficult for you to display? Share in the comments, and let’s pray for each other in these challenging areas!
Week 7 Challenge: Begin each day this week asking God to give you His supernatural joy and love for others, and then determine to go out of your way to show kindness to someone in a tangible way.
Week 7 Video:
Week 7 Reading Plan:
Week 7 Memory Verse:
____________________________________
The #YouAreForgivenBook is available on #Amazon! (aff) http://amzn.to/2agBCTQ. Join us as we study God’s word together!
When I go out to do errands and such I love to look at people and watch them, and in the last couple of years I have noticed how we have visibly become a sad and depressed people, smiles are a thing of the past, putting other’s needs before our wants, seems gone forever. People are visibly shocked, when you share a smile or offer a hand. God said this world is evil, but that just means how much brighter we can shine the Light of God here!! I plan on doing lots of little things, that when viewed in this world, has become very huge things, share a smile, lend a hand, offer a shoulder to lean on, or cry on. Be that kind of person I would need. Whitney, yes, walk in the One’s footsteps we are to model this week. Excellent blog post today!!
Yes my dear friend. Smiles, love, helping hands have disappeared in our world. It has been replaced by backbitting, betrayals and a lot of sadness. But we are the light of the world. So wherever we go we will light a candle of God’s love peace and joy. Well said honey. Well said. Dear Father as my friend goes out today help her light a candle of Your love. Amen.
Such a beautiful reminder to me not to get caught up in the rush of life and forget to shine!! I AM FORGIVEN AND FREE!!!
Taking no account of a suffered wrong…ahhh so hard but when we know that we are forgiven and God forgives us when we mess up, or our words and actions hurt someone else it changes how you look at someone who hurts you. Instead of hanging on to what they said or did your heart cries for them at what they must be going through that caused them to forget the love of their Father for them. Or you look and see that they must not truly “know” they are forgiven.
Praying we all have an encounter with Gods forgiveness today…a fresh encounter that touches our hearts in the deepest places.
Sweetness you said it right. Not to get cut up in the rush and forget to shine. How we often let our hearts get clouded but the hurts, pain and injustice that we forget our command to shine. We are going on a campaign to light a candle of God’s love everywhere we go today and this week letting go and letting God. Choosing forgiveness and love. Because we are forgiven. Yes we are. Bless you my love.
Whitney, what a GREAT story. It is truly amazing how one can tell quickly the aura of another and how that person can uplift others. I have always admired those that exude a great disposition and know that a lot of them are like that because of their faith and walk with God. This was a wonderful story to kick off the week and learn how the fruit of forgiveness can provide such joy. With the verses assigned for today, I think my biggest hurdle is patience. I lean towards wanting to be in control and have a hard time understanding that not everyone functions at the same pace. In a world where society pushes us to complete multiple things at a time and complete them quickly, I’ll admit that I have gotten caught up in that. I pray that I may close my eyes, breathe in Jesus, and breath out love throughout the day so that I may be a “Walter” to someone like he was to you.
Praying all of you have a wonderful start to your week and that God keep leading you through this study.
Sweetie, patience is not my strong point too and wanting to be in control is so me. But over the years God has thought me to daily look at Him. Yes, literally look at Him, when things go my way and mostly when it does not. He knows the end from the beginning, I don’t. So looking at Him keeps me going. Because He knows everything that happens and is always working behind the scene. I think of how He treats me, how patient He is with me and that gives me no option than to try and be patient. Jesus is our perfect example. He is. So daily we look at Him, daily we ask for help to be all that He needs is to be. Daily we ask for help to light a candle of His love peace and joy to our world. Dear Lord, Your daughter realizes that she needs You. Please help her always to be the woman You created her to be. Amen. Much love honey
As I read these verses and tried to decide which aspect of love was most difficult for me to live out, I had to admit that my biggest problem was found in verse 11…I forget to put aside childish things…I too quickly regress to the child’s way of thinking and therefore my speech and my actions are affected……BUT if I had to choose one thing from verses 4-7, I would have to go with the “always trusting”. On page 96 in our You Are Forgiven Study book, we read of a breakthrough one (missionary) woman had when she discovered how freeing it was to take what God says at face value. I found that testimony comforting and helpful because I had recently committed to my husband to start taking what he said at face value. I have always struggled with believing what he says if it didn’t “feel” right to me….if I didn’t understand it or if the inflection of his voice wasn’t what I thought it should be or if his facial expression didn’t match up to how I perceived it should be, I have had trouble trusting what he says to be truth. I discovered that I also treat God and others that way….relying way too much on my feelings/perceptions rather than trusting. I am so so thankful that God has shown us that love is a choice…not a feeling.
Yes honey love is a choice not a feeling. Jesus is our example. We treat Him bad but He always treats us good. Even when we come to Him with selfish motives and say we’ll be good and He forgives us we immediately go back to our old ways. But that never stops Him from forgiving us and accepting us everytime we come to Him. It’s very hard but with His help we can do it. We can choose to behave His way and not the world’s way. It’s a choice and am praying for You that with His help you’ll daily make that choice. You are doing great love. You are! And am gunning for you. Heavenly Father, please help my dear friend here. Help her to always think of You and all You do for her. Help her daily. In Jesus name Amen.
Tina,
Thank you SO much for sharing that! I too have a hard time with trust and it has been a cause of dissension in my marriage. And though my husband has broken my trust in the past, he has asked for forgiveness and is actively growing in his commitment to Jesus and to me. I MUST let go and learn to trust not just my husband, but ultimately God’s plan for our marriage!
So, my biggest struggle is not to keep a record of wrongs…
Netty honey, am proud of you, for the step you’ve decided to take. Love is all God is and the kind of relationship He wants to have with us. And we can have that with people around us, if we just let Him. God is healing your heart, you just have to stay strong. Anytime bitterness wants to rise speak those verses back to yourself. And you will rise. Dear Lord, please help Your daughter. Daily please help here. Honey light a candle of God’s love everywhere. Much love.
Thank you for this much needed message to the start of an already hectic hurried week. I love the challenge that was presented this week because it is something I always forget when I am so busy.
Nan honey, you can do it. Dear Lord, may Nan feel You in ways like never before. May she shine Your light like never before, may her life bring You glory. Help her move through this week with grace and love. Amen. Much love honey.
I feel like I am with you getting your visa in the city, Whitney….your story just reminded me of what I have prayed for ‘a Christian neighbor’. I was mowing our lawn the other day and a lady came up to me wanted to borrow our mower, I could tell that’s there’s something different in her in the way she speaks, kindness is on her tongue and I noticed her small cross earrings and so I asked if she was a believer in Christ and she said “yes” she was….they are my new neighbors just the opposite house of where I live, I remembered my prayer for a Christian neighbor, glory to God! and I gave her something that I have prepared a pickled papaya in a mason jar. Thank you Father God for answered prayer, for a Christian neighbor, I know You have a planned, may you used this people to get me-in Jesus most Holy name the name above all names, Amen.
Awwww darling. Am so happy for you. Shinning the light of Jesus. Go Girl!!! Lord may her light always shine for You. Amen.
Today I choose forgiveness. Please pray for me to forgive the person that my husband was unfaithful with. I have forgiven my husband – and it seems to have been somewhat easier to forgive him than the other person. After all, he’s conveyed his regret for hurting me and has given his life to the Lord. I am a witness to the awesome changes God has made in him. The other person has continued to torment me, stalk me on social media and say mean, hurtful, vindictive things to me in private messages on social media (using fake profiles). I feel the Lord encouraging me to forgive her, but I truly don’t know how. She continues to try to destroy our marriage. She has no remorse and it makes it so much harder to forgive her. I need prayers. Please.
Angie, I am fully convinced the Lord will give you the strength to forgive her over time. I am beyond impressed with your ability to forgive your husband, and the ways in which the Lord has clearly revealed his faithfulness to you. God has called us, as fellow believes, to love our enemies. This sounds so easy on paper, but much harder to accomplish in actions. Thankfully though, we serve a God whom which provides his Holy Spirit to be our strength. I am praying a prayer for you that Paul prayed for the Ephesus. Ephesians 3:16 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith”. Stay strong sister. Stay faithful to our source of strength!
Thank you for this beautiful reminder! It’s so easy to get caught up in the daily routine and the things I want to get done each day. Sometimes I forget that God has is own agenda for which He wants to get done each day. When I get so wrapped up in my schedule, I miss the opportunities that He might be calling me to. A conversation, a smile, a sliver of love or compassion. All of these things start to slip away once my agenda becomes my focus. I easily forget that I am a changed women because of Christ. I am called to a greater way of living. Thank you for reminding me that my life should look different because of this. I want to work on radiating that love in every situation I encounter each day!
I’m just now getting to read the blog….I cried. I want others to see Jesus working through me, I want to comfort others in a way they may not even understand because it’s coming from powers greater than all of us. When I put my name in these verses I would have to say pride and maybe the self seeking parts are my weaknesses. I don’t mean to be proud and independent, or self seeking but it happens. Thank you Whitney for today’s words, they touch my soul.
Mondee~LGG Encourager
Oh this story this week about the rush of her day. Understand about always in a hurry and not noticing others storms me. To offer a genuine smile, a lending hand. To let others no they are important. Who knows there story, but to give them the love Jesus gave me, can warm a heart.
Sadly I have been accused of being too nice. Not sure what she ment, her being a Christian, I was taught by His word The greatest of these is love.
This study is so amazing, reminds me that I have been forgiven, and to forgive others. To Love others greatly like Jesus loved us greatly on the cross for me, for all of us. In my time, inmy words, in my actions I Give Him all the Glory.
I love the teaching