Let me tell you about two of the most thrilling, moving, joyful experiences of my life: the day I locked my keys in the car and the afternoon I went to the instant oil change store.

An Opening for the Gospel
When I lived in another city, I had one of those “say hello” relationships with a very sweet neighbor. She was pleasant, but shy, so we’d just wave and smile when we passed each other in the hallway. One morning on the way to work I put my purse in the car, then got distracted by something and locked the car door. My cell phone and all of my keys, including the key to my condo, were in my purse. Well, I knew that my sweet-but-shy neighbor would be at home so I knocked on her door and asked to use the phone. Then she invited me to sit at the kitchen table while I waited for the locksmith. I can’t remember how, but our conversation turned to spiritual things. Before I knew it, she was asking me deep questions about God. My heart and soul leapt at this wonderful chance to share with my neighbor about the one Person who could bring the most joy to her life. The locksmith came and I headed off to work, but my soul soared for the rest of the day.

More than a Magazine
Years later, I sat in the waiting room of an instant oil change store. When the mechanic came to tell me my car was ready, he noticed my open Bible and asked what book I was reading. When I told him, he shared that he memorized Bible verses as a child. The conversation quickly changed as he shared how a family tragedy caused him to doubt God’s goodness. His loved ones went to church, but he couldn’t bring himself to go. When he tried to find answers about God, good, and evil, a spiritual leader gave him advice that made no sense to him. I shared how I had searched for answers from the very same source, without success, and invited him to my church to find truth and hope. On the day after our conversation, I led Stonecroft staff devotions. Joy welled up in me as I told the Home Office about the greatness of God’s love for this mechanic and my amazement that He used me, a timid evangelist, to invite this searching man to pursue the truth. Only God could have connected me with someone who had such a similar spiritual search. Only God could have led me to a man who worked far north of my church, yet lived five minutes away from it.

“The fruit of the Spirit is … joy …”
Pray with me that in this new year, God will keep our eyes and ears open for ways to share His love. Imagine what joy awaits us when God-ordained opportunities unfold. Imagine what joy awaits the searching people who call on His name.