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While at the English Camp this year, I had to be much more intentional than usual to have spiritual conversations with the campers. When I led a small group or taught a "How to Study the Bible" workshop, the conversations came more naturally. However in my new role as camp co-leader overseeing the English programs, my job takes me into the background more to prepare and support the staff so they can be successful in their roles with the campers. However, I know that the Lord can use even small moments in big ways, so I always stayed ready should the Lord bring an opportunity my way.
One afternoon, I chatted with two girls outside of the main building during free time. They were refilling their water bottles so I took the chance to talk, starting by asking for feedback on their English programs since we made a big change this year and I wanted to see how it was being received. Slowly the conversation evolved to being about them and their faith background. One girl shared how nobody in her family goes to church anymore, but she does because of all she has learned about God each year at camp, and she wants to go to worship Him. To encourage her, I shared a short piece of my testimony: how nobody in my family is a Christian either, and I too started out my Christian walk going to church by myself. She asked what my family believed, and I mentioned that my mom, whom I love, does witchcraft. Her face was shocked. "Mine too!" she said. What are the odds? I knew right away that this was a divine appointment. I asked to pray with her for her family. Her face told me it was a little strange for her. It's not common for the average German, much less a young teenage girl caught off guard during free time, to stop and have someone pray for her. But she let me. I prayed for her mom specifically, for her whole family, and for her. Afterwards, she stood there with tears in her eyes. I encouraged her by telling her what I had learned going to church alone for the first few years: Of course you go to church because you want to worship the Lord, but I know that it can also be hard to walk in there alone when everyone else is there with their families. However, even if you feel alone, the truth is that God goes with you. He is so glad you have come, and He sees you in even your loneliest moment.
What can we take from this today? Two thoughts:
First, you never know how any little conversation could be a divine appointment. Look for how the Lord might be opening doors to spiritual conversation. What started as an inquiry to their opinions on the English program turned into a prayer and a chance to encourage a little sister in the faith with whom I had so much in common.
Second, if you see anyone at church who is there alone, please invite them to sit with you and your family. The Church is the family of God, and inviting someone to scoot just a few seats over can encourage a lonely believer to remember the ways that God sees them.
Psalm 68:6a says, "God sets the lonely in families." This is another reminder that God is with the lonely and provides for them. If you are lonely, look to the Lord and know that He is with you and sees you and you can ask that He will also give you other people through the Church to be like family to you. Or perhaps you yourself are someone the Lord wants to use to reach out to the lonely. Maybe God wants to use you to welcome someone into your family. Are you open to being the hands and feet of Jesus by showing care and hospitality to those who are lonely? Whether it's opening your home to foster care or just going to sit with someone who is alone at church, we can all have eyes for the lonely, and in that way, we can be a little more like Jesus.
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