Off of the Beaten Path
As humans we react to life in the area of least resistance, our comfort zone. On 6 July this was the case for Brad (a 14 year old that Loves Jesus) and myself. When we go out on the streets we usually start ministering at the bus station walk a block up 1st street and then proceed up central.
As we left the bus station, off of the beaten path came to me. I didn’t understand what this meant. We came to Central and I told Brad, “Let’s keep going straight tonight, when I am here during the day there is usually a lot of homeless hanging out over there.”
While we were waiting on the light I saw two young guys, who looked lost (in the since of direction), walking toward the corner we were walking to. When we crossed the street we met them about 10 feet from the corner. As we passed I said, “You guys serving Jesus?” They took two steps and one of them turned and said, “What did you just say.” They came back to the corner and I repeated myself.
The one who asked me what I had said started giving me scriptures to try to justify his actions trying to give me the “once saved always saved” (WHAT A LIE FROM THE PITS OF HELL!) line but he didn’t believe what he was saying anymore than I did. I started preaching the Gospel to him and he said, “stop, don’t say anymore, the Holy Spirit is convicting me enough right now.” You could see it in his eyes.
We introduced ourselves at this time; their names were Daniel and Henry. They were Marines who had walked away from God. They told me I wouldn’t understand their situation or what they had been through. Henry tells me you don’t know how much I needed to hear what you are saying; I prayed last night that God would send me a sign so I would know that he was still there.
I asked them both if they believed in divine appointments. They both said, “Yes,” so I asked, “what do you think is?” Both of them were blown away, the Spirit took hold of both of them as they stood in amazement. Daniel started telling me his story. When he was finished I told them my testimony. God delivered me from all the trash I was caught up in, He can do the same for anyone who is willing.
I could see the tears in Daniels eyes he turned around and walked a few steps to hide the tears. I began ministering to Henry at this time he kept saying you don’t know how much I needed to hear this. Daniel came back and started asking what church I went to. I told him I didn’t have a building to go to on Sunday; because I was the Church the building is just a gathering place. He asked me for my phone number because they had to go, so I gave it to him.
We went our way they went theirs. Brad and I continued on the path the Lord had set before us. We ministered to several others and made our way to the truck several hours later. As we came to the truck, there were 3 guys in a car parked next to us. As we got closer they got out and tried to hide. One poked his head out from the corner they tucked themselves into and said hi. I said, “Hi, are you serving Jesus?” He answered me with, “You want some, you want to get high.” We were high on Jesus, didn’t want, need, or desire a substitute.
All three of them came over and we began preaching the Gospel. One of the guys was Asian and what made me laugh is the other two stereotyped him and said he was buddhist. John agreed with them I guess to make them happy because after a few minutes talking to him he didn’t know what he believed, the funniest part is he didn’t believe anything about buddhism.
As I was talking to John, Brad was tearing the other two up with the Word. Usually I would jump in with Brad. This time I realized I didn’t need to do that, he had the Word. At this time I truly understood the meaning of, Off the Beaten Path. We all need to step out of our comfort zone and let The Lord do his thing. We are the vessels, the tools that he uses. We need to stop trying to control and be controlled.
We need to let go and Let God.
