God Can Work in Any Circumstance

Howdy y’all!

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on this blog, but believe me when I say that I’ve got stuff coming your way. So, make like an equestrian and saddle up for this lesson that God taught me within the past few weeks (expect updates and pictures in this post).

While we have just arrived in the Republic of Georgia, we’ve spent the previous two weeks in Turkey, first in Istanbul for PVT (Parent Vision Trip) and then in Izmir for Debrief. And in both places, God was conveying the same message, just in different forms.

To begin with, where we were staying at our hostel in Istanbul, God placed us in such a pivotal space to be able to minister to so many different people. And while some people had the wonderful opportunity of having their parents join them during PVT, I did not. But that was okay, because God was able to use that time and space to minister to those in the hostel. From a lady who had been dealing with apathetic depression to a questioning Muslim man. And it was on our final night that we were invited to an open mic night at the hostel we were staying at to share stories and personal experiences. While it started off rocky, God totally transformed the space in which we were able to share the Gospel and share our testimonies with the host, and that he may experience the love of Christ first hand. Here, God showed me, even in my uncomfortability, that He can take any moment and turn it for good!

Our next scenario also follow a similar pattern, our last day, but Izmir. On our last day in Izmir, our squad got the opportunity to go to the Island of Patmos (where the Apostle John wrote the book of Revelations). It was on our ferry boat ride, that I got the opportunity to connect and interact with one of the guys who worked on the boat and chat with him. In that interaction, I got to hear his heart and where he was at in his life. And I honestly just got to share my own personal struggles/experiences with having questions about faith. In that, I got to relate and encourage him to continue asking those hard questions and to not shy away from the tough questions. Here God showed me, He can work in any place.

Our final scenario takes place at a gas station bus stop where we got to take a break during our 30+ hour bus ride. As one of my teammates and I were looking for food, we walked into a restaurant where we met with a young waiter (in his early twenties). I got the opportunity to briefly talk with him, and learn about how he’s getting ready to take an English exam and how he needed help practicing. Being an English teacher, I offered my assistance and exchanged contact info with him. Later, we texted and within our practice conversation, the topic of the Trinity came up (not initiated by me), and I got the opportunity to clarify God’s spirit and how He works through Jesus and the Holy Spirit. Here God showed me that He can work in any bracket of time, whether a few months or a few passing minutes, God can work.

My prayer is this: Lord, for the person reading this post, may their eyes be opened to the revelation that You can work in any space, place and time. You are not bound to our restraints, rather You are able to turn anything and everything for good. So with this Lord, may we put our trust in your ability, not our own. Rather, may we just be obedient. Amen.