The Ironies of Life...

So how is it that while being an American living in Brazil...technically I came to be standing on Saudi Arabian soil? Well God of course. I can come up with no other explanation for eating with the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, while in Brazil. What a creative God we serve that He would arrange such an opportunity.
I had high expectations for the evening...although not really knowing what I was about to walk into. All I knew was I had an invitation to dine with ambassadors...of Saudi Arabia. I did not know what kind of opportunities would present themselves. It's very easy to let yourself think that since God has provided such an opportunity, that He must want me to lay hands on someone while I'm there, or possibly even prophecy. Not unreasonable expectations. None of these things happened, but I wasn't disappointed. I wasn't disappointed because I didn't go to the Saudi Arabian embassy so that God could meet my expectations. I went so that I could meet His.
As I sat in the midst of Syrians, Iraqis, and people from other unknown parts (me and my friend were the only Americans there) I was reminded of Jesus eating with the tax collectors, and Esther living in the castle waiting to be queen of pagan Persia. The Bible doesn't say that as Esther was amidst these pagans that she went around laying hands of people, or yelling prophecies at the top of her lungs. She simply lived...abiding in Him...Him abiding in her...letting the Light shine from here. A city set on a hill. Her reasons were different for keeping quiet, but the point is still the same. When we abide in Him and he abides in us and we then go the places He has told us to go, I believe the Lord will then just use your presence, your life as a testimony of Him. I shouldn't have to yell at the top of my lungs, "I AM A CHRISTIAN!!!!" for people to recognize what I am.....for people to see Jesus...for my testimony of Jesus Christ to be heard.
When Jesus supped with the tax collecters, I can imagine that was enough for them to want to follow Him. He didn't perceive himself so high and lofty...so holy that He couldn't commune with them. That was Jesus sharing the love of Jesus Christ. His presence was Him silently proclaiming the love of God.
I am not comparing myself to Queen Esther or even to Jesus. I am simply saying that offering a kind face, supping with the lost, small words of the Love of God, and letting Him lead you and abide in you simultaneously is what we are called to do. We are called to be like Jesus.
So, I can't say that I prayed over the thousands while at the Saudi Arabian embassy, but I can say that I supped with them (them knowing I'm a follower of Christ), I talked with them, I showed them kindness and love. I pray they remember that I didn't think myself so high and lofty, so holy that I couldn't sit and dine with them. My Muslim student will remember that his Christian teacher made herself available to him and showed him love. Sometimes that's all we can do.

Thanks for reading.
Blessings and Peace in Jesus name...the name above every other name.