So I am in New York right now, after spending sometime with the family for Christmas and New Year's. But today, I want to make a quick note about last week: sorry I wasn't able to write last Monday. I was just swarmed with a lot of things. But no worries, here I am punching the keys again.
I got yesterday morning, Sunday, ready to head out for a run. I love morning runs. Having checked the weather forecast a few days before, I knew it would be a little warm today, about 30 plus. The temps have been hovering around 17 to 27 degrees the last few days, so it makes it a little unwise to go out for a run in that fridge.
But I did go today, and it was fun. Slippery streets from ice drops overnight sought to get in the way, but I wanted to find a way past it. The run got me warm and fresh, helping me shake of the slug that accumulates when I don't get the chance to go out and run. When I am not able, I do go up and down the staircase in my highrise ( about 38 floors high) when I am not able to go outside to run. It helps, but it's not the same.
But anyway, I got through the run, went home and got ready for church. The church's not too far from where I live---it's about 5 minutes away. So in no time, I was there, seated and ready to get take in the service.
You know the routine: Praise and worship, offering, and then the sermon, which is why I am writing this post. The sermon got me.
The Pastor, Pastor Jesus Goyco, was the designated preacher, and using the United States Army's soldier's creed, he connected that to our creed as Christians, and why we should keep the Jesus's mission first at all times, just as American soldiers do in keeping the president's mission. He himself has served in the military for about 8 years, and has personal experiences of how vital it is to be mindful of the overall and principal mission, and why it's important to always be ready.
I sat and thought about it all. Having planned to share the Word of God in the subway before heading out to New York, I thought of taking a little initiative to follow through on it. I have not been able to share the Word much on the trains since I have been here. This may be God prompting me to seize the moment. God and I had discussed it a bit in Austin before I left.
So after the service, I picked up a few evangelism tracts and decided to go give them out on the train, while using it as an opportunity to verbally share the word too. Like always, I prayed under my breath, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through me, and give me the power I need. Right after my prayer, the lines from Josh Wilson's song came to mind:"Pushing back the dark." Here it is, below.
Not long after that I was on the "D" train, sharing the word. It didn't go as I planned---it was short ( about 2 minutes) and incoherent, but I got the word out. After that I simply went around handing out the tracts to the folks on the train. Some took it, others turned it down. I got off on the next stop, and went to another car on the same train and handed out the remaining ones. I took a few minutes to think it over, whether I should do it again, today. I decided against it, opting to take it slowly. All in all, a good move. Thanks to the Spirit for strength.
I know most of us also get stirred like this from time to time, but few of us take action. I don't always take action. But next time a feeling like that hits, take a small step and do something about it. You never know where it might lead. And don't forget the Holy Spirit is available to help you. Just ask him.
Have you been stirred lately? And what did you do about it? Need a little push?
Let me know in the comments.
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