If you read yesterday’s devotion (and if they are published in order), I was relaying a story about my first class for the semester. I’d like to share a story from later in the day.
My first class was at 9:00 a.m. and my next class wasn’t until 2:30 p.m. I ran an errand and went home and ate lunch in between (and even had a conversation with Patrick). So, I got back to the school around 2:15 p.m. As I parked, I noticed the car next to me had a young man behind the wheel, but the wheel was on the right side. I politely knocked on the window and asked him if he found it easy to drive from the right side of the vehicle. He replied at first it was a challenge, but he quickly got used to it. He also mentioned he had bought the car used and believed it was originally made for driving in Japan. He also mentioned he wouldn’t have it much longer because he had found a buyer. I crossed the street and walked to the building where my class was going to be.
I entered the room and sat down. I saw the young man in the parked car sit down on the other side of the room. Then, a young man entered and sat down next to me, even though there were many open seats between me and the nearest person in my row. He introduced himself and we had a casual conversation for five minutes or so before class started. I found out he was a freshman and really wanted to be a music player in a band when he finished college. He realized he needed a source of income, so he planned to give music lessons during the day and play in a band in the evenings and weekends. I told him I admired that he had thought of what he wanted to do and had a plan to do it. I also carefully said that even if he had to change his objective, it was better to have a plan for what you want to do, realizing that it might change (I believe I quoted that if you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there, which is a favorite saying of mine).
“The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirit. Commit your work to the Lord, and your plans will be established. The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble. Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished. By steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the Lord one turns away from evil. When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. Better is a little with righteousness than great revenues with injustice. The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” - Proverbs 16:1-9 ESV
God uses us to support and uplift each other (I think the fancy word that Patrick likes is exhortation). I’m a true introvert; however, I’ve known for a long time that showing a little interest and being friendly to others helps both of us have a better day.
“But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end.” - Hebrews 3:13-14
