Transparency in Christian living is important. Trying to hide behind sin or thinking, “maybe God did not see that”, is no way to live. God knows our every thought and action. In sharing your mistakes and sins with others can be a witness of how The Holy Spirit can help you get through life.
This spring I took a bus full of kids to a museum in Little Rock.After dropping them off at the museum, I had to park the bus a few blocks up the hill by the Post Office. My friend and fellow bus driver Ed told me I had to try the famous fried chicken place in downtown Little Rock. It is called Gus’s World-Famous Fried Chicken. I looked it up online and it was only a ten-minute walk. So, I walked down the hill and ordered a meal. I also ordered two chicken breasts to go, to take home to my friend Ed as a surprise. I do not like spicy foods. Guess what, it was spicy Cajun chicken. I was on fire!
As I walked up the hill to my bus carrying my brown bag with two Cajun fried chicken breasts, I was approached by a very nice middle-aged man that was obviously homeless and hungry. I do not carry cash, only my atm card. I had my greasy stained brown bag that smelled good. I was only going to bring Ed one fried chicken breast but had asked for two for some strange reason. The man asked, “sir, do you have any food to spare?” It is important to note he did not ask me for money. I immediately replied, “no, I do not, I’m sorry.” Afterall, I thought to myself, I had bought these chicken breasts for my friend Ed. I stood beside him on the sidewalk, and we talked for a few minutes. He was very kind. As I walked away the Holy Spirit began speaking to me about my heart’s condition. I was convicted of my sin of selfishness and lying. I had not even made it to the corner. The Holy Spirt spoke to my heart and said, “did you not buy an extra chicken breast? One was for your friend Ed and the other for the needs of a stranger. You lied to this stranger in need of food.”
It was then I recalled this verse from the Word of God. Hebrews 13:2 NIV: Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.
Wow, God saw my actions and he knew my selfish thoughts. I was deeply ashamed and still am today as I write this devotion, several months after this happened. How do I fix this? I am consumed by my selfish act before Christ. I have thought about driving down to Little Rock some Saturday and buying 10 of those fried chicken breasts and passing them out to 10 strangers that look like they are hungry. How do I right my wrong? I need to seek God’s loving mercy and His loving forgiveness. I will this morning. I still want to make the chicken trip though.
I am so thankful for the loving conviction of the Holy Spirt living within me. He is there to make sure I do the right thing and not the wrong thing. He is my helper and my guiding light. Thank you, Jesus, for leaving Him with us.
Jim Everett
