A Faith-ful Encounter

At that moment a song popped into my head, “too many billion people running around the planet, what is the chance in heaven that you’d find your way to me?”

Have you ever asked yourself the same question? Of how people, a special someone, perhaps, have found their way in our lives? A movie I watched tells that there are three kinds of people that will come into our lives - (1) the ones who we will love all our lives no matter if they stay or not, (2) the ones who will stay and love us unconditionally, and (3) those who will just pass by; nevertheless, they leave such a mark that forever will change our lives.

It was a fine day. I went to a cafe with a friend. Then someone, though wearing a mask, smiles brightly, as revealed through the spark in his eyes. He was looking at my friend, so I thought he was someone my friend knew.

He came near to us, slightly bending forward; he took something out of his pocket.

Oh, “Tell me what is this sweet sensation? It's a miracle that happened.”

He took out something I knew was precious to him. It was something glimmering and in different colors. It’s something, I myself, would like to have, but at the moment, I felt that I’m not worth it.

Then he faced my friend and humbly asked, “Mam, baka po gusto niyong bumili?” (Ma'am, would you like to buy some?)

Oh, how I wanted to reject his proposal! Right there and then!

But my friend smiled, then said, “Sige, magkano ba?” (Sure, how much is it?)

I was astonished.

My friend had a lot of them. Gel, metallic, pastel, calligraphy, colored pens. Name it, she has it. Even branded ones!

But, alas! I remembered!

For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. ~ Matthew 25:35-36

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. ~ Matthew 25:40

This is what our pastor taught us. And even before this scenario, my friend’s mother told us the same thing.

GIVE.

Give: Even to those who are not begging but needing. Give: To those who despite suffering find a proper way of living.

At this point, though, the man was asking something from us, he gave us a more valuable thing.

HOPE.

Hope that we could still share something for the people whom the Lord Jesus sacrificed His own life. That there are still people who, despite not having found Jesus yet in their lives, try to live and see the light in people. If only we could give them what they need, their dark and needy life would end and find anew.

GIVE.

It’s not always about money. But lives shared to people who are needing.

So, when was the last time you answered a call of help and gave whatever hope and light you have?

There’s too many billion people running around this planet, you’ll surely meet some and have a faith-ful encounter.