One day last week I was browsing through the "Christian Inspiration" section of Barnes&Noble. As I was leafing through C.S. Lewis' The Screwtape Letters, a man standing next to me struck up a conversation. I normally tend to shy away from conversation with strangers, especially males, but for some reason I felt compelled to go more in depth with my conversation with him. During our conversation he kept saying things like, "I don't really know why I'm talking to you."

He started by asking what pastors or authors I enjoy. I listed off the few authors I've read works from, and he started spewing off author after author I should read. One thing he said to me was "You can't get what you need to know from other people, you need to go directly to Jesus." At first I didn't really understand what he was trying to say, but now that I have reflected on it, I have more of an understanding of what he was saying, and it actually does apply to my life. I try to read a lot books by Christian authors, so I can gain more of an understanding into the many aspects of Christianity.  Many times, actually most times, I would prefer reading what they have to say about Jesus and being a follower of Him, rather than go directly to The Bible. I rely on the knowledge they have to offer me.

He asked me a lot of questions, many I didn't really know how to answer. "How are you living evangelically?" was the one that struck me most, because during community group the prior night, I asked for prayer in that area of my life. As much as it frightens me, spreading the gospel is something I'm required to do as a follower of Jesus Christ. I told him that is something I'm really struggling with, and he said that our life goal as Christians is to spread the love of Jesus. I mentioned that I worry I'll say the wrong thing, which will turn that person away. He said I didn't need to worry about that, because God will provide me with all of the knowledge I need to know...that God will speak through me. As much as I know that, I don't really believe it.

This man's act of sparking a conversation with me really touched my heart, as I think about it more and more. He spoke wisdom into places of my life I didn't even realize needs redirection- he brought awareness to it.

He left before I got the chance to thank him, and I'm praying that the Lord makes sure he's aware of how much I deeply appreciate what he did for me. I pray he has assurance for how he is living his life, because he's made an impact on at least one person.