Today, while reading a textbook for class in a public area on campus, you abruptly approached me and kindly asked if I would be willing to watch a video and answer a few questions.
Typically, this is something I would say "no" to. But something moved me to respond, "yes."
You said I could be entered in a drawing to win a gift card if I agreed.
"I'll do it without the gift card." I responded.
Yeah, I passed up a free gift card. I questioned myself for a second, but then shook it off. It's just watching a video, I thought I was helping them with something for a class.
You both sat down and told me I could choose from three different four-minute videos about four different Christian topics.
Christianity? Okay. Something I was raised in. Something I know a lot about. Something that is important to me, that is etched in my heart and tattooed on my shoulder blade. Something I don't necessarily talk about out loud, but am comfortable with. Cool, I can do that.
I picked the first video. You had it cued up already anyway. You handed me some head phones, and you talked among yourselves as I watched the following video:
Not going to lie, I tried not to cry while watching this video. Because I mean, there's two guys I don't know sitting in front of me and that's embarrassing. But this video really moved me.
You continued to ask me questions. And for some reason, I felt safe. So I answered honestly and I told you two about my faith. I didn't search for the answers I thought you wanted to hear, like I would have done if I was talking to a pastor from my church or my parents. But the raw, honest truth. I told you some things that I have never really told anyone else about when it comes to my faith. And I'm not exactly sure what moved me to say the things that I said today, but I did.
Then, you asked me if I'd be interested in a 10 minute mini bible study that we could do right there.
I wanted to say no, because I had homework and class in a half hour, and talking about my faith isn't really my thing.
But I said: "Yes."
You handed me a booklet. We walked through it together, the three of us, total strangers. We talked about our faith, and our God. And at one point I said to you:
"There's a reason that two strangers walked up to me and asked me if I wanted to watch a video about God today."
"What do you think that reason is?" they asked.
"I don't know yet. I'll let you when I figure it out," I responded.
Well here's my answer: Because sometimes, we forget where we've come from. We only focus on where we're going. I look at where I need to go, and not where I should be going. Today, you brought me back to where I needed to be.
My tattoo on my shoulder is four symbols that means "God is greater than the ups and downs."
Today, you two reminded me that He is more than me. Today, you reminded me that, even though I have a lot going on right now, none of that matters. Today, you two reminded me that saying "yes" to talking to two random strangers, when I wanted to say no, was a good decision.Usually, when my pastor or my dad tells stories about people doing little things, like talking to strangers about God or passing out bibles, I think "Oh, I don't need that. I already have God in my life. Let them help somebody who doesn't see the light." But today, you reminded me that even though I have God in my life, I forget. Today, you refreshed my faith.
When God moved you to pick me to talk to, you made an impact on my heart that I needed.
To the two strangers that reminded me I have a reason, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you.