* Defining Moments series *

This series demonstrates God's love and grace, despite our precarious missteps

No Funny Business

My beautiful bride, Donna, and I have been traveling for hours. Time to stretch our legs and eat. Hand in hand, we enter Dunkin’ Donuts. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee and baked goodies ignites my taste buds. After ordering our favorite coffee and muffin, we maneuver to the pickup area. As Sally (not her real name) prepares our items, God nudges me to tell her something. 

• “Sally, I sense God has a specific message for you. Is it OK to share it?” 

• She hesitates, then gives permission.

• “Sally, you are praying for a young man. You want to give up on him, but God isn’t.”

• She stared intently for what felt like forever before inquiring, “We’ve never met. How do you know that? ”

• “Sally, God is personal and cherishes you both. He sent a stranger to reassure you he hears your prayers and cares about your situation.”

• “The man is my husband, and our marriage is floundering. I told God this morning before coming to work, I’m done.”

• “Oh my Sally, I’m sorry you are struggling. What does God’s message mean to you? “

• “God is encouraging me to not quit. To continue praying and trust my Heavenly Father.” 

At that moment, Donna senses God is showing her something to share with Sally privately. I took our drinks and food to a table. After their one-on-one time, Donna invited her to join us. She accepted the offer, and we had a glorious time in prayer. Sally shed healing tears as she gave God the hopelessness, frustration, and unforgiveness. Her countenance changed from downtrodden to a smile. God’s intervention brought freedom and hope unlike anything on this earth can. 

Our paths haven’t crossed again, so we don’t know how Sally’s story turned out. Our job was to step out in faith and follow God’s promptings. The outcome is between Sally, her husband, and God. I share the interaction at Dunkin’ Donuts in order to provide a better understanding of the next profound story. 

Finally, a day off. My mission is to complete a jam-packed to-do list. With military precision, I calculate the time for each errand and determine the most efficient driving route. It’s doable if everything goes as planned. 

First stop, the mall. Upon exiting the car, I check my watch. Right on schedule. While walking to the mall entrance, my thoughts turn to what God did at Dunkin’ Donuts and other similar scenarios since then. These God encounters are increasing as I obediently deliver his messages. Half chuckling and with a big grin, I pray, “Lord, thank you for the incredible things you are doing through me as I accomplish everyday activities. However, I’m on a tight timeline, so no funny business… delivery of your personalized messages to people."  

That night, I thanked God for a glitch-free day. Today’s to-do list is history. 

Several weeks later, I was seeking God while journaling and enjoying a steaming cup of Dunkin’ Donuts home brewed java. I often begin by thanking God for specific things he has done and then ask him questions. Upon reflection, I realized the God moments, such as the one at Dunkin’ Donuts, ceased. “Lord, why have those amazing interactions stopped?” “BK, the day at the mall, you told me to stop the funny business”. You never asked me to start it again. I give people free will to choose what they want.” I fell to my knees in despair and remorse, asking God to forgive me for my self-centered and controlling behavior. With tear-filled eyes, I asked him to uproot selfishness and instill in me a servant’s heart. I felt a strong conviction to change and a peaceful reassurance that he would guide me through the process. 

I just described one of many mistakes I’ve made over the years. God mercifully gives me more chances than I deserve to learn and grow. Much to my delight, he resumed flowing through me in the marketplace. An indescribable joy fills my heart when individuals discover God is relational and adore’s them beyond their comprehension.

What have I learned from these lessons?

• We cannot control God's anointing and power by flicking a switch on and off when it suits us.

• Partnering with God requires our surrendering to his timing and agenda.

• The degree God will use us is proportional to our level of obedience and submission to his requests. 
  

Also, God taught me how to re-prioritize daily life. My revised daily to-do list contains only one item. No military precision or planning required. What is that one thing?

Daily to-do list

Live in God’s flow, each moment, every day.

Ephesians 3:20 (NLT), “Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.”