Our Fall Sermon Series is making an impact! I’m pretty excited.

“Right Where You Are” is a study of men and women in the Bible who God used in powerful ways to change their world- people like Gideon, Daniel, Esther, and Mary.  None of them were prophets, priests, or pastors and yet God used them right where they were to make a big difference.  Isaac, our pastoral intern, came up with the series concept. And so far, it’s been both challenging and encouraging.

Each week we’ve also had a testimony from someone in our church that complements the theme of the day.  Listening to how God is using our own Bethany people has made the series very practical. God’s word and work isn’t primarily for Sundays, but for Monday through Friday. And he loves to use us right where we are.

This week Steph Martin reached out with another story of impact.  Here’s her email and story.

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Hi Steve and Isaac!

Wow what a powerful message Isaac, thank you so much! And Steve I loved your messages as well. This is a really amazing series. I wanted to share a story with you. I don’t expect you to share it in the mid-week devotional, but if you’d like to you can. I will not mind either way. 

Thanks, Steph

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Isaac shared a powerful sermon on Sunday about David and Goliath. And it got me thinking of something I experienced last week.

I was excited to have a day to myself out and about. I knew I was going to be near the Hallmark store and thought I’d check it out. As I got closer, I decided to go several other places first to see if they had what I wanted. But as I drove by Hallmark, I made a last second decision to turn in.

As I browsed around the store, I began to hear a woman in distress. She was crying and speaking to a store employee, saying she needed help. She had no money and didn’t know how she could find a ride home. I could tell she had some challenges in her life to put her in this situation. As I continued to shop the card aisle, I listened intently to the conversation and began to pray. “Lord, I don’t know how to help.”

Like David, I had no “weapon” for this woman’s current “Goliath.”

One employee told the woman in distress she didn’t understand the situation and the woman tried to explain again how she got to the Hallmark store. She said, “I’m sorry we can’t help you.”

The woman became even more distressed as it became apparent that no one would help her.  Another employee told her to use the bus. Without really thinking I walked over (I think the Holy Spirit moved my feet). The employee and I began to brainstorm, googling bus schedules, etc. The woman then introduced herself.

She says, “I’m Jane.*. Thanks so much for helping me. I’m really starting to feel better now that you’re talking with me!”

I said, “Sure! We all need help sometimes”.

Through continued conversation, she shared that she got here through her health insurance transportation service. But she didn’t want to call them again because she had a really bad experience with the driver who brought her. I convince her to let me call the insurance company. They told me they couldn’t get through to the transportation department but would call back shortly.

Jane said, “What a bad day. I’m sorry I’m such a mess.”

“It’s okay.” I replied, “We all have bad days, and I would want someone to help me.”

“I wish there were more helpful people in the world like you.” Jane responded.

But what Jane didn’t know was that I saw myself in her. I could tell she had some big challenges in her life; some Goliath’s that brought her to this point.  I, too, have had quite a few of my own Goliaths.  If I didn’t have a husband and parents to help me when I need it… if I didn’t have my “extended family”, our amazing Bethany Church family and my small group, all praying me through those “Goliath moments”- I could very well be Jane. She had no family to call, only one friend whose phone went straight to voicemail. God was able to work through me “right where I was” because I’ve had so many people do that for me. Community is an incredible gift.

I started out the day as “a lowly shepherd boy” – just a mom out running errands. When I came into “battle” in that Hallmark store I had no weapon to fight this “Goliath” in Jane’s life. But God used the Goliaths in my own life so I could relate to Jane.

Honestly, I was a little fearful to help her. But like Isaac said on Sunday – when we trade our fear with faith, others know Jesus’ grace.

I don’t know if Jane made it home that day. But I will always remember and pray for her.  God has comforted me in my time of need and I’m thankful he put me in that store at the right time for God to comfort Jane.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, The Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles. So that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

*not her real name