Just a Gas Station

Hi folks!

Another life thought for you. Today, I was getting gas in between class and a meeting I had planned with my adviser. I wasn't planning on it, but I just decided to kill time with it. So I headed over to the gas station, as you do, and as I was getting out of my car to pump my gas, I noticed this lady running up to the convenience store, kind of huffing and puffing. She kind of scared me a little bit, because she seemed a little run down and beat up--just something societal instincts tell you to be afraid of, you know? We've been working through those societal constructs in my Contemporary Leadership class right now. Anyway, as I was pumping the gas, I suddenly got this gut instinct (Holy Spirit conviction) that I needed to talk to her. I was all nauseous and shaky and I had no idea what to do. Like any sensible human, I tried to argue with God to stay just pumping my gas. I looked over though, and she caught my eye and we smiled at each other. That's when God really hit me. So, I finished pumping my gas scared and nervously, because after that, I cautiously walked up to her and introduced myself, afraid she'd think I was crazy, intimidating, etc. I told her something to the effect of "I don't know why, but I felt like I needed to come up and talk to you and make sure you were okay." She seemed a little hesitant, well, a lot hesitant, like she should be, but when I, only once, said the word "God," saying "I feel like God told me to," she seemed to calm down....or get more nervous--I couldn't really tell because I was so nervous. Anyway, she said she was okay (which I think was a lie, just to be polite and rush the conversation along) and that she was just waiting for her ride to work. I never even got her name, but she drove off within seconds of my introduction, and I just got back in my car and drove off. It all seems pretty calm, right? Wrong! My heart was RACING. I tried to pray and talk to God about it because I was so panicked, but the only words I could manage to get out of my mouth for a good 45 seconds was "I don't know, I don't know, I don't know what was wrong, God, but please take care of her." I then went on to wait for my meeting time and start on this blog post.

I don't know what happened with or to that lady, but I just knew I needed to talk to her. I was terrified and I had no idea what I was doing, but I could tell that just by checking on her, it made her feel better, knowing that someone cared about her. She seemed a little scared of me, and I get that, but I know it was a necessary seed to be planted. God can work on the rest with her. It's just such a bizarre location to see God work, just a simple gas station, but I think that just proves the power and the capabilities of God. I just happened to have packed my Bible with me in my bag this morning, too, because I hadn't done my Bible study this morning and I knew I would have time in between things. God let that happen for a reason! I needed my Bible with me, because as soon as I sat down to wait for my appointment, I reached for it immediately and used the concordance to find what it says about obedience to God's work. I found Philippians 2: 12-17, which says:

12 Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. 13 For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.

14 Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.17 But I will rejoice even if I lose my life, pouring it out like a liquid offering to God,[a] just like your faithful service is an offering to God. And I want all of you to share that joy.

How cool is that??? I love being able to just go to God's word directly and find out what He says about the exact situation I'm dealing with at the moment. The amazing thing, dear reader, is that God is going to use you in everything you do for His own glory, no matter the place--even just a gas station. So I encourage you to do the same, work for God, and He will work in you. This story is not over yet. This is just the beginning of my life, actively working and obeying what God tells me to do at a moment's notice. I know I'll be scared for the entirety of it, as my missions grow in stature and importance, but I pray that God will give me the courage to follow through with them anyway. I hope you will do the same. Remember, it can be just a gas station, if you just pay attention to what God is saying.

Love,

Noelle.