He's there just about everyday. I drive thru McDonald's for my usual iced coffee with 2 sweeteners, no liquid sugar... and there he sits in the lobby. He's always at the same table next to the front window. His expression never seems to change. Seated in the booth alone, I see his coffee and breakfast sandwich in front of him. No newspaper, no companion, no cell phone on the table. Just his meager breakfast.
His expression tells a story of loneliness and sadness. Or am I just imagining?
When I first noticed him, he wore camouflage, and his uniform cap was always perched on the table by his tray. Then a few months ago, he started to appear in street clothing. One might assume that he retired from military service during that time.
I pray for this man every time I find him seated in the window. What is his story? What draws him to this fast-food store every morning at the same time? Is he a widower? Or perhaps he has never been married.
He just looks so sad... and, yes, lost.
I've prayed for courage to walk into the store and speak to him. I've longed for the boldness to say I'm praying for him. So far, my courage has melted before I could park the car. What would he think? How might he respond? What's my "plan" when I greet him for the first time?
I must confess: just talking about him gives me the butterflies. And yet, I am reminded that it is my duty - my personal responsibility - to be brave and take those steps for the Kingdom.
The Book of Joshua holds the keys to my dilemma. This is the story of Joshua, son of Nun, who had been Moses' aid. Following the death of his friend and leader, Moses, the Lord calls his servant Joshua to lead the people into the promised land.
Read these words in Joshua 1:9...
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
These verses have been on my mind continually for several months. They were first planted there by a friend who shared them with several friends to encourage us and give us boldness to go where we are led by the Holy Spirit. While none of us knew how we specifically might put these verses into practice, for me it has become clear that God is speaking to me about this mysterious man.
I'm not quite sure what exactly holds me back from obeying the Lord's directive. While I do believe that some day I will walk those few steps into McDonald's lobby, I keep asking God for a reprieve... just a little more time. Time for what? I'm not quite sure. Perhaps I need time to see if he still comes. Maybe I secretly hope he will not be there one day, and I'll be off the hook. But if that happens, I will have missed a blessing from God. And I will surely miss out on the answers to the mysterious man.
Are you holding back from some task God has called you to perform? Are you like me, hesitating because of fear?
Psalm 56:3-4 holds the encouragement I need to wear as my banner every day:
When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?
It's a new week, starting tomorrow. This evening I pray for strength and courage, boldness and the presence of the Holy Spirit, when I next see the man in the window. Who knows? Perhaps God has given him a message to relay to me.
