Last night at Catalyst, I had the privilege of seeing God at work in the midst of my sinful heart. It was the dinner hour and with a slice of pizza on my plate, I looked around for someone to talk to. I immediately noticed a young man sitting and eating alone. I’d noticed him in previous weeks but hadn’t felt compelled to get to know him. I still didn’t feel particularly compelled last night either but as I scanned the room a second time, everyone else seemed engaged in conversation already. Convicted, I sat down beside him and introduced myself. He was fairly new to Redeemer (came in the last 6 months) and is a recent graduate of Colgate. As we talked I learned that his parents were from Jamaica – two of my close friend are from there – and his mother and I attended the same college. We sat there for at least 15 minutes trading stories, enjoying a sweet conversation, and finding many points of connection. My slice of pizza gone, I shook his hand and thanked him for chatting, and I really meant it.
I had approached him – not as a Christian first, as a brother – but because I was a staff person feeling obligated to do the welcoming thing. And instead God gave me a gift and compelled me to open it – through our shared conversation.
It was a reminder of how limited my eyesight is here on earth. So often I fail to see that which is eternal and instead focus myopically on that which is transient and fading.
Because of my near -sightedness, I almost missed out on what God was giving me. I wonder how ofen that happens and I don’t ever realize it…?
