Below is a musing of people that have made an impact on me at ASU. From homeless to classmates .
His name is Thomas,
Thomas is man down on his luck. A man trodden upon by life and over looked
A man with hope in his heart but his outer shell is battered.
A man from a tough upbringing but with a sweet soul .
A man who Jesus loves.
Thomas's mother was reading about Thomas in the bible when she was in labor because she was scared to have her child. But God gave her strength.
Thomas is a man of faith but a man of the world.
At the bus stop he sat alone
An island. A stereotype.
"Why are people too afraid to speak to me?"
" I am a man just like you are".
Why do we leave the Thomas's of world in the dust ?
His name is Ben .
He is a man that is strong.
A leatherneck , A patriot .
A man that road his cheap bicycle to class two miles. While other kids slept in from drinking too much the night before.
Ben is a young soldier for his country and a new soldier for Christ.
He was sent away to war just when he was getting settled.
Here is my story that I share with Ben.
One day Ben did not come to class.
I later saw him in the quad and asked him why he wasn't there.
"I'm going to war " he said with tears in his eyes.
Me being the blubbering idiot that I am sort of mumbled an apology and kept walking.
Ashamed I sent him a simple text saying " may god be with you and I am praying for you."
Moments later he called saying we had mixed up our math books and he had to go turn his correct one in.
We arranged to meet back on the quad.
I gave him a handshake and an understanding look and said I will pray for you.
He said "okay" and took a knee.....dang
God stopped me in my tracks and I kneeled with him and together we prayed for safety and strength from God.
Ben had become a Christian the night before.
The Ben's and Thomas's of the world are abounding. We can choose to only go at face value and never truly get to know someone. But we know deep in our hearts that we should spread the great commission and message of Jesus.
God dragged me down off of my high horse and had me talk to a sad drunk and to a young scared soldier who I barely knew.
Let God work. Get out of the way ! Be an instrument for His glory.
I am in no way the influential person in these stories. I was merely a vessel used for God's love.
I pray that I continue to work for His Kingdom and to be a light at ASU.
