I met Jesus at the bar…
Picture it — Brooklyn. 2017. Dark and stormy night. (yall see it? nah? aight lol)
Anyway,
It was not dark and stormy at all. It was real regular. I was walking into the bodega to get some water before going to happy hour. I passed a homeless guy on my way in and herein lies some details of my first encounter of hearing God vividly for myself.
God said, “Give him your last $100.”
Yall HAVE to know I IMMEDIATELY said “IKYFL”
I proceed with my intended purpose which was to BUY WATER. I also remember being immediately burdened with heavy anxiety as I walked through the store. Even as I write this now, I feel the same way.
I took that as part of my foundation of learning when to be aware of God speaking to me. And as much as I didn’t want to, when I walked out — I gave that man my last $100 and said — “God, you have GOT to DOUBLE this because this is foolish.”
I absolutely still found my way to happy hour because — yea. What you’re not about to do SIR is ask me to do this and I not try to drown it out. I’m thankful to have been with wonderful humans who didn’t mind covering me. It’s now an hour into this great act of obedience and I’m dead drunk. I mean I’m feeling real accomplished in drowning it out.
AND THEN……
an older guy in an all blue suit finds his way by my side.
I don’t even remember him walking in if I’m honest. All I do know is this— he stood next to me for the next hour affirming prayers I KNOW I’d ONLY prayed to God.
Here I am — drunk — in full TEARS and worship at this bar.
At the end of this encounter, he asks me to open my hands and prays protection over my life and walks out.
When I finally looked to see what he had placed in my hand —
it was $200
I’m just here to encourage you. That’s it.
God ain’t gone drop you. He can’t. It’s not his character.
the prayer:
Help us to trust you even more with our lives ESPECIALLY when it looks crazy. And help us to know you will always meet us exactly where we are.
“So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised. FOR IN JUST A LITTLE WHILE, the Coming One will come and NOT delay”
(Hebrews 10: 35-38)
selah (breathe)
