A group of us have been reaching out to our local community with God’s love the past few months, meaning that we go out and just bless and pray for people on the street, in the mall, wherever. We share how much God loves them and pray for anything that is concerning them. I have yet to encounter anyone not appreciative of words of blessing and encouragement.
A few weeks ago as we walked through a local mall talking with people, I was greatly aware of how God loves people’s stories, where I have too often just seen a clerk in the store. As I engaged intentional conversation to know the person behind the face, I was intrigued in getting to know their “story”. I got to know James (not real name) who has owned his own shop for twelve years in a mall that I frequent often and have never been in his shop. Business is slow, His wife is a Buddhist and on a trip to China, and he’s not sure that God really loves him.
I talked with Cynda (also not her real name) who is working in her father’s retail store while she’s studying business in college. She grew up Catholic but doesn’t know what God’s purpose is for her life. She’s young, a faithful worker, but also wonders how much God really loves her.
And then there was Paloma (Spanish for “dove”—her real name), a beautiful young lady working her way through college at a sports memorabilia shop. She doesn’t know what the grand purpose God has for her is, what special gift He has placed in her, or how much Jesus loves her… but I told her He does…very much. I then prayed for her to know who He created her to be. She smiled and said, “Thank you. That means a lot.”
I was overwhelmed as I spoke to these people that, while I’ve walked past them so many times, oblivious to who they are, He sees them. He watches the intricate details of their personal story—their concerns, their joys, their pursuits, their problems….and He cares. Deeply.
God wants people to know His love. That is HIS story. The greatest story ever told. One told through the blood of His Son—poured out, onto the ground, shattering sin’s chains, breaking the ancient curse upon us, and restoring us to the Father.
The blood of the slain lamb still speaks today, telling the story of God’s love. As the body of Christ on earth, don’t forget to share it wherever you are. To whoever you meet. It will change their life when His story intertwines with theirs. It did mine.
How about you? What’s your story?
