Devin's Application of Grace

This past week we have been studying Titus and oh wow! I thoroughly enjoyed studying it and really getting the fact that it's only by God's grace that we are saved. In the book of Titus, God is calling Titus to instruct the Cretans on how to live a Godly lifestyle... not because it will earn them brownie points and not because they will be loved more by God, but because it is a response to His grace.

We had to do a creative application from all that we learned from Titus, so my classmate Sally and I decided to go to Moxie Java and buy the first three people who walked through the doors their lunch or drink of choice. We prayed that God would show up and give us divine appointments... and sure enough, God and his humbling sense of humor kicked in.

1. The first woman was a successful older business woman, who shot us down and immediately said 'no'. We pressed on, and though at first we didn't get a 'yes', we did get a 'why?' We explained to her what we had been learning and how we were living out what God was teaching us and putting on our hearts. The woman was astounded. We got to talking and she opened up about her life and all her accomplishments, (and man did she have some!).
2. The next couple came in (elderly folks) and we got the same 'NO' response, but the first woman got involved and said... 'Ask them why!' So they did and we explained to them the same thing we told the first woman.... so the couple let us buy them their coffee. We then found ourselves in a huge discussion with all of them... both parties seemingly touched by the fact that someone had blessed them and noticed them that day.
3. The third person walks in... a quiet and somber young woman, timid and shy, trying to move around us without being seen. But we saw her. Poor girl... if only she knew what she was getting into. :) We got the same 'No' followed by a 'why' response, but eventually she gave in once we explained to her that we just wanted to bless her. Sally started talking to her while I was still talking to the other three people, and she found out that the young woman had studied in England (and Sally is from England), so they connected and talked for a few moments until the girl eventually backed away and sat down to eat her lunch in quiet. But she was noticed, and there was no denying that that was the very thing God had wanted for her.
   

In the end the first woman gave us her business card and told us to stay in touch, the elderly couple thanked us and went on their way, and the young woman just sat in silence and ate her lunch. But then we saw the real work God was doing. The Moxie Java girls had stood there the whole time in shock and in excitement about what we were doing. Two of the girls, a BSU student & a Jehovah's Witness, saw our actions and the love we had for God and His work. They asked questions and wanted to know more... which was very exciting. So a simple application has turned into the beginnings of a relationship with these girls that we hope to continue to grow this year, so that they might feel God's love and the worth they have in him. Thank you God for all you have done and continue to do! Isn't He awesome?!