IT’S ALL IN WHO YOU KNOW
It was a perfect day for the beach. The Costa Rican sun was brilliant in a flawless blue sky. Vibrant palm trees and tropical flowers flashed past the windows as the car sped towards the coast, the passengers growing more excited with each passing kilometer. Natasha and her fellow German teammates had been serving in Costa Rica on a month-long outreach with Youth With A Mission. They were all looking forward to a day of relaxing in the sun.
Suddenly, Nathasha saw flashing blue lights in the rear-view mirror. Her heart sank. They’d been speeding. This wasn’t a good start to their weekend.
“Pasaportes!” Demanding to see everyone’s documentation, the policeman who pulled them over did not look at all friendly. To her horror, Natasha realized they’d all left their passports with their team leaders at the YWAM base several kilometers away. What would they do now?
Angrily the officer asked the German students what they were doing in Costa Rica. Praying silently, Natasha calmly explained that they’d been working with a local Christian leader named Diego, serving in his church and distributing Bibles in the town. At the mention of Diego’s name, the policeman’s countenance immediately softened.
Because of a Relationship…
“Ah, son amigos de Diego?” Diego was well-known in the area for his humanitarian efforts in poor neighborhoods. Smiling, the officer waved them on. “Since you’re friends of Diego, I’ll let you go this time.” Natasha and her team continued to the beach, amazed at the transformation that had occurred, all because of a relationship.
Just as Diego prepared the way for Natasha and her friends, there is One who has gone before us and bridged the gap to our Heavenly Father. Jesus told His followers, “You did not choose Me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask Him in My name.” (John 15:16). What power we have in that Name! It’s not because of anything we’ve done, but because of the relationship we have with the Father, through the Son who intercedes for us!
Going vertical!
MJ