Let Go and Let God!

Can You Reach My Friend?  

Hebrews 4:12 NIV For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.

I was having lunch with a co-worker when other co-workers came into the area.  One we knew and the other was introduced to us.  During the meeting the newly introduced co-worker referred to me with an offensive name.  I didn’t react, but was put off by it.  Every time I was around this person, he would say something offensive. At that time I was a praise and worship leader and tried to surround myself with positivity. For self preservation, I decided to stay away from this person, our spirits simply did not mix. I didn’t need to have anything in my life that would be a distraction or cause me to stumble when I needed to be prepared for praise and worship. 

I managed to stay away from him for a few days.  If he went in one door, I went out the other.  My avoidance of this person however began to bother me, so I went to God in prayer concerning the situation.  Was I doing the right thing avoiding this person, or should I meet him head on? 

Later that day I arrived to work to attend a required class and learned that my nemesis was helping teach the class.  I continued to do what I had been doing all week, avoiding him.

During the class, we were given assignments. One of the instructors would come around and check our work for completeness and correctness.  It just happened that the person I most wanted to avoid came over to check my work.  When I saw him coming, I tried to prepare myself to say the minimum.  Keep it professional and get rid of him as soon as possible.  He checked my work and approved it.  Great!  I said thanks and he started to walk away.  When he reached the middle of the classroom, he turned  around and said loud enough for everyone to hear, ”why have you been avoiding me?”  I couldn’t believe he was doing this in front of a classroom full of our peers.  I looked at him and said,“ well you hurt my feelings so yes, I have been avoiding you.” He apologized and said that he didn’t mean to hurt my feelings. We turned our attention back to class work. I thought the situation was resolved.

Approximately two weeks before meeting this individual, a little phrase began playing in my head,  like a song playing on repeat that you can’t get rid of.  It wasn’t a song but this is what it said – “I am an atheist, that’s okay God isn’t.”  This played over and over in the background of my mind. 

At the end of the class, we were told that once we  deposited our completed work on the front desk, we were dismissed.  I was the last student to deposit my work on the desk. Only me and the instructors remained in the classroom. 

My nemesis took the opportunity to apologize again.  This is what was said.

Nemesis:  I just want you to know I am really sorry; I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings.

Me:  Well, you did,  I accept your apology, but your words hurt me so badly that I prayed about it this morning.

Nemesis:  Well, there is something I need to tell you about myself, I am an atheist.

Me:  That’s ok,  God isn’t, and He loves you.

Wow,  that song-like phrase that was playing in my head weeks before!!

At that moment, I witnessed his pupils literally expand!!! God’s words had affected him!!! 

We never know when God is using us, for what or for whom.  We always have to be ready and open to His plans. 

Eventually, my former nemesis and I became friends.  We never spoke about that situation again and he was never offensive to me again.  Every time we crossed paths thereafter, he seemed genuinely overjoyed to see me. 

He is no longer with the company. I am not sure if he ever received Jesus as his Lord and Savior, but God planted a seed in him through me.  It’s there for someone else to water.