Power Encounters

Funny how it all seems to be orchestrated perfectly.

Just last Saturday we were doing application for the sermon preached last week and the accountability was to pray and watch for power encounters with God through this week.

Honestly I wasn't expecting to be facing any power encounters. But it really amazes me how God works in mysterious ways.

On Sunday after service and having celebrated Grace's surprise birthday, I noticed Grace's friend, Joshua sitting all by himself at the front of the worship hall. I smiled at him and he smiled back. Unexpectedly, my body went into an auto mode and I found myself sitting beside him. In my mind, I was just about to walk away, busy distributing cakes for Grace.

The next thing I knew, Joshua was sharing with me all about him and it definitely was quite a lot on his heart. Deep inside me, I was praying and asking God to help me to be sensitive and hear Joshua's sharing.

Half an hour on and Grace was telling Joshua that she's leaving for lunch. I thought Grace was going to wait for him but when Joshua and I prepared to leave, Grace had already left. I found Joshua all by himself outside the church carpark, alone, and seemingly lost.

Here's the 2nd encounter and I knew God wanted me to do something. I had intended to go lunch with Donnie/Jean/Jude after bumping into them outside church. But God had a different agenda for me. Donnie had to meet up with Jude nearby church and after I got through to Grace over the phone, I knew God wanted me to accompany Joshua to City Hall.

On our way to City Hall from walking to church to taking the MRT to walking to M.O.F. , Joshua was doing the talking and sharing like 99% of the time? I was praying inside me for the Lord to use me; to hear Joshua and his struggles.

We met Grace and the rest at MOF and after about an hour, the rest had to leave for various reasons. I volunteered to stay behind as Joshua had not finished his drink (he was sharing with Grace the whole time what he was trying to share with me). I had a quiz the next day, but I trust God to use me to be there for Joshua.

And so we stayed on for about another hour at MOF and me hearing more of Joshua. Toward the end, he was very curious and inquisitive about YAY! Ministry, that gave me a chance to share more about our ministry to him but I felt I could have done better. Before we left the cafe, I took the leap of faith to share with him what God is putting in my heart to minister to him. He was thankful and remarked that he really desire to come back to God's love.

All in all, it was a great time being just a listening ear to a brother I barely knew that day. And I truly believe that was what Jesus would have done too. To be lovingly there for a brother when I could have chosen to walk away many times.

I thank God for this opportunity and I pray that Joshua will begin to encounter God as well in his walk with Jesus. I am sure God is doing greater things in our midst in the days to come. Let us press on and persevere no matter what comes our way, for our victory is in Christ alone!