I know, I know!

I have been praying the Lord would open opportunities up for me to meet non-believers and share with them.

Most of my time here, I feel like I live in a bubble (Bay Leaf friends, you know the illustration I'm talking about :) . I work at a seminary, go to church, and don't really interact with a lot of people on a personal basis who I know are non-believers. So, I've been asking the Lord to give me some opportunities to talk about him!

Chance #1) Last week on my way to church, it was monsoon-ing. I am talking a serious downpour here. As Lindsay and I were driving along in my car, I saw a woman walking along the side of the road, completely drenched, going who knows where. I thought about it, but didn't stop to offer her a ride. I even mentioned it to Lindsay after we had passed her, and still kept driving. For goodness's sake, I was on my way to church and didn't stop.
Chance #2) Yesterday, on my way to my car at lunch time, a woman walked up to me asking for money for McDonald's for some food. I told her I didn't have any cash on me (I had a $20...). She asked if I was going to McDonald's, and I told her honestly that I was headed in the opposite direction. I thought about offering for her to come eat lunch with my friend and I downtown, which is where I was headed. Once again, I didn't.

What is wrong with me? Why am I so weak and scared that I can't even offer to help someone out who is obviously in need? Is it that I am just afraid of being inconvenienced? I think that's a large part of it. I have been asking for these chances, but since they don't come prettily wrapped as something easy for me to do, I bypass the chance. The Lord was inconvenienced for my sake; he died on a cross for me. And I can't even offer lunch or a ride to someone who needs it? I am no better than the priests who passed the broken and hurting man on the road, leaving his "enemy" to care for him. I talk about loving others, but when it comes time to put it into practice, I am no good at putting it into practice. At what point did my own safety become of such paramount importance that I neglect the needs of others and the words of the Lord to "do unto the least of these"? He never promised me a safe life; I don't know why I think that I deserve one.

Lord, give me opportunities, give me wisdom, and give me boldness.