Encouragement

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When I arrived to work this cool Wednesday morning I observed the constant orange and green colors of Halloween decorations posted on every cubicle. I went into the break room to grab a cup of water as I overheard a co-worker saying to another, “I don’t think they should allow prayer in schools.” I cringed within, thinking to myself, “If we would allow prayer, maybe our kids wouldn’t be dealing with so much perversion!” As I walked by them I smiled and asked how they were doing. “I have had better days,” one replied. I replied, “Well I pray that it gets better, have a blessed day!” Walking away I hoped that my remark would spark some pleasant thought of God within them. When I got back to my desk and checked my email there was a mass letter from the president of the company stating that due to current industry conditions they would have to lay off several hundred employees. As the news began to spread around the floor I observed the looks of despair and fear on everyone’s faces as people began to worry whether or not they would have a job by the end of the day. Admittedly a little fear tried to creep into my mind also until I heard that well known voice remind me, “God did not give you the spirit of fear, but of power, love and a sound mind!” So I gathered my self together and set my faith on the fact that He had always been my provider. People began get called into rooms by management and return with tears as they were directed to pack all of their personal belongings to be escorted from the premises. This went on through out the day until they had lain off three hundred employees. Then they announced that they had reached the needed number of reductions and that everyone else would be ok. Of course that wasn’t much comfort for those still here. Rumors began going around that this would happen again in a few weeks and that they even might close down completely. Already resolved and comforted by the promises of my Father, I knew that this was a time for me to be light in the mist of darks times. So as people cried and worried, I remained calm and warm. One of my co-workers said to me, “You’re saved, right? Well why would God allow this to happen to people with families?” I responded, “God always provides for us, no matter what happens; He always makes a way.” The co-worker said with a sarcastic tone, well He needs to make a way for this to stop happening if He really cared about us.” Before I could respond she was off to another group to gossip about the events that had taken place. The work day ended and I rushed out needing to make a stop by the store before I made it to my favorite Wednesday night destination. I pulled up to the store and heard some one yelling, “Hey what’s up man?” I turned around and it was an old friend from before I met Christ. He asked, “Why don’t you come around the shop any more; you too good to come around here?” I replied, not at all, just been real busy with work and family things! How have you been doing?” He replied, “Man, whatever, you think because your saved now your better than us!” I replied, “It’s nothing like that at all. I have just found peace in serving the Lord.” “I’m telling you, He can do things in your life that you can’t do on your own!” He replied, “whatever, I don’t need Jesus, I have this bottle!” and just walked away. “Man!”, I thought, “Lord please help him break away from that stronghold.” I got what I needed from the store and as I driving I just began to think about everything that had happened today, the people in the break room rejecting prayer, the lady at my desk rejecting God’s provision, and the past friend now an alcoholic rejecting my plea with him to turn to Christ. I pulled up to my destination, church, and as I walked in I took a deep sigh of relief and thought about how David must have felt when he said, “I was glad when they said unto me, let us go into the house of the Lord!” Man! It felt good to be with other believers!

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