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Does anyone (other than me) remember those old Sprite commercials? This particular one holds a special meaning for me. Several years ago (obviously!) I had decided that I would listen to God's voice and actually respond if I sensed Him prompting me to do something. I had heard stories of others who had been "prompted" by God to do things and how God amazingly worked and blessed others out of their obedience.
So I was out on a lunch break one day and I had to make a run by the grocery store to pick up a few things. On my way, I saw an elderly man out in front of his house mowing his yard. It was a terribly HOT day and he looked like he was struggling. I felt God prompt my heart to bring him a cold drink. Immediately my mind began justifying why I shouldn't:
1. I didn't even know this man!
2. I didn't have much time...hadn't even eaten lunch yet
3. What was I going to do, just pull over and hand him a cold drink???
Then Mark 9:41 popped into my mind, "For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward."
"O.K., God, I am listening!" I thought. But the man's front yard was tiny and I thought surely he would be finished by the time I had acquired a cold drink for him! I went on my way to the grocery store, got my items and then at the check out grabbed a cold Sprite out of the cooler next to the register. IF the man was still there when I drove by, I would do it!
I have NO IDEA what kind of technical difficulties that poor gentleman must have had while I was gone, but there he was still mowing that tiny plot of land. I remember my heart beating like crazy as I jumped out of my car, handed him the Sprite and said something about how he looked hot and God told me to give him a cold drink. Jumped back in my car and drove off.
It was my beginning in listening to God speak to me and choosing to allow Him to use me to bless others even if in seemingly strange ways. There have been several times over the years now when God has impressed things upon my heart to do. Sometimes I see His purposes and others I may never know what He was up to. Maybe I will hear, "the rest of the story..." up in heaven some day. The thing that I have learned over the years is not to allow myself to "reason" my way out of doing things I am prompted to do. I have had a few of those "missed opportunities" as well. Times when I have been prompted to do or say something, talked myself out of it and then afterward known that I should have acted but knowing the opportunity was gone.
If you have never experienced God in this way before I encourage you to give it a try. Ask Him to speak to your heart and to use you to be a blessing to someone. Be prepared that you may automatically begin to "reason" your way out of the very thing He is asking you to do - if you find yourself "reasoning" check yourself to see if there is a good reason why you shouldn't do it...
I would love to hear some of your "God" stories!
One more oldie but goodie..."Where's the beef?!" Now I am really showing my age!
Click here to read MORE "True Story Tuesday" Posts!
Many blessings!
