Testimonies from 2010

That Makes No Sense God. Am I Crazy?-September 2010

It was 4 pm on Sunday afternoon and I was ready for some time alone out in the wild.  Despite growing up 1/2 hour from Sioux Falls, I am still somewhat new to the parks/nature areas in the city.  I hopped in my car, and drove off, praying, “Lord, lead me to a place I can be along with nature and you……with a river or lake and some trees if possible…”  Now you certainly could argue that it would have been easier to just grab a map–but I’ve learned to enjoy letting God lead in all things….even mundane areas of life.  Somehow, there is always a blessing in it.

I came to an intersection on 12th Street and Sertoma Avenue.  When I listened for God’s direction, I thought I heard, “there’s a place on the right.”  Thus, I moved into the right turn lane.  Then, I heard, “Go left.”  Frustrated I moved to the left lane.  Thankfully, I was the only car at the intersection.  I remember thinking I was going crazy.  Hearing God’s voice is a discipline I am still learning, and I generally listen for it after reading Scripture….as otherwise I can get caught up in my own thoughts rather easily.  Nevertheless, I headed out of town, obeying what I believed God was leading me to do.

I used to work in county conservation in Iowa, and I knew that public nature areas sometimes exist in the middle of farmland.  Could this be my destination?  I started off, unsure, but confident things would make sense soon enough.  After turning right off the main highway, I went down a gravel road.  I remember watching the mile markers, realizing I could get lost if I wasn’t careful.  Soon enough, the road dead ended.  “Hmmmm.”  I thought.  “Now what?”

I turned around and headed back….and settled on a field driveway as my place to stop.  Not exactly like the mountains in Korea or a river with trees….. but better than nothing.  The clouds were wrapped in beautiful cylindrical layers across the sky–and I enjoyed the sounds of the birds as they hovered over a nearby field.  But soon enough, I was again distracted.  A pick-up truck roared past, and my social inhibitions kicked in.  “I must look like a total idiot out here,” I thought.  Reluctantly, I started up the car and headed back towards town.

I continued to let God lead me, though I must say I was feeling a little foolish by then.  I past several wonderful places, but they all had “no trespassing” signs on them.  Somehow, I doubted I should break the law just for some alone time in the wild.

Eventually, I found myself back in Sioux Falls–on West 12th Street.  As I turned right, I realized I’d make almost a complete circle.  (This was confirmed later, when I saw Sertoma Avenue on the street sign up ahead).  The other thing I realized was my prayer had just been answered.  Because there on the left was Legacy Park…..with a river and trees!  That right there is a cool story.  But it isn’t over just yet……

After getting out of my car in the parking lot of Legacy Park, I grabbed my backpack and headed off in the direction of the river.  As I past a car, I heard God whisper, “Share Jesus with that man.”  I stopped, then continued.  After all, I’d just come through 30 minutes of wandering and was ready for some time outside alone!  Yet the voice persisted.  I realized I had forgotten my cell phone, and decided to go back and get it.   As I passed the car, I smelled cigarette smoke.  “I can’t talk to this guy,”  I thought.  (I’m quite sensitive to cigarette smoke).  After grabbing my phone, I again felt nudged by God to talk to the man. So finally, I gave in.

That’s how I met Jack from California, a drifter looking for purpose in life, just like the rest of us.  We had a great conversation about the park, and eventually that lead into spiritual matters.  After he agreed to let me share the gospel with him, he made this comment:  “I don’t want to say I believe unless I actually do.”  I praised him for his honesty, and told him this:  “If God is real and we seek him and ask him to help you believe, I believe he will.  What do you have to lose?”  He agreed and we prayed together.  I was fortunate to have a couple left over booklets in my bag from Lifelight, and I gave him one as a parting gift.  We exchanged numbers, and he had a smile on his face as I left.  I watched him take the booklet, open it, and begin to read from the gospel of John.

I walked away feeling a blessing I can hardly describe.  Finally, I had my time alone with God and me and the river and the trees.  Yet I had just been given such a blessing, that I already felt filled to the brim.

I thank God for his sovereign leading, even when I think I’m going crazy.  My “30 minute detour” allowed God to position Jack exactly where he wanted him when I came by…..and thankfully, by His grace, I was obedient to his voice.  There was a “place on the right.”  I just needed to go left first, to get there in his timing.