When opportunities present themselves-opportunities to serve, to reach out, to heal, to restore, to love, to forgive-you better take them. Because I believe it’s God wanting to use you for His glory….it’s just a matter if you are willing to respond. 

Today’s Sandwich Run was last minute. I didn’t want to do it. I did it only because it was my responsibility. But I arrived to BCC 30 minutes earlier and just put on my iPhone and listened to Bethel and prayed. “God, if this is your will to do this (even if it’s last minute), remove any doubts/fear/bitterness in my heart, and let your will be done. Use us to bring forth your kingdom.” 

What do you know…I met Ivy again for the third time! We talked. We caught up with each other. GOOD NEWS: He’s going into rehab tonight! (He’s an alcoholic. He’s been living on the streets for the past month). He told me Sarah Ahn and Jean Lee that he was sick of living on the streets and it was time for him to change. That he was going  into rehab. He said that his daughter would be proud of him for the step he will take. I told him that I was proud of him for making that step. But he said, “It doesn’t matter who is proud of me. I need to be proud of myself and I can’t do that.” I took that time to intervene and I told him, “You know whose most proud of you? God is most proud of you.” 

Ivy respond, “How can God love me when I haven’t even done it yet? How can God love me in the state I am right now?!” I tried my best to reassure him that God already knows what he did in the past and what he’s going to do in the future-that God’s love is unconditional, that it’s not about the state that you are in, but the heart that you come with. 

God’s divine plan. Opportunity provided to me to do his will. If I had rejected it today, I would have missed out on the good news of a brother (Ivy) taking steps to change his life. Actually, three weeks ago, I told him that I would be there with a sandwich every Friday. And I was unfaithful to my word-Tim Joo rebuked me for it telling me, “What if Ivy is really waiting there for you every week?” And I found out today he really was. But Ivy wasn’t disappointed. He was actually surprised we did actually come again and told us, “Man, you guys do hold true to your words”. 

We sent him off with prayer. Prayer for change in his life-change that only comes through God. It’s time he told me….it’s time for him to pick himself up. He told me that it would be the last time I would see him. I told him “Nope, it won’t be Ivy. I’ll see you the day you get out of rehab, at this same place on the same street.” And I asked him if he has a cellphone. He said nope but that he can call from his daughter’s house. I ripped up a piece of paper bag we had to give him the sandwich and I wrote my number to him. He told me he would call me 29 days from now once he gets out of rehab and he’ll call me. I told him not to lose that piece of paper with my number, he promised he won’t. I’ll be waiting on your phone call Ivy. 

God, use me. Not because I have certain abilities/specialty. I am the least worthy to be used by you. But use me because of my availability-to respond when you call. Help me to heed the voice of my Shepherd (you) and lead me to where you want me to go.