This September, Joey Springer’s going to be a part of our first Real Life: Immersion (9 months in 3 continents); in a matter of days, he’ll get his Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Communication from the University of Washington. Back in April, his random run to Chipotle turned out to be a divine appointment:
I had a God moment yesterday [April 21st].
Two nights ago I slept for only about two hours because I was frantically trying to finish a research paper for one of my political science classes. The next day, while sitting in my first class, I decided that I would reward myself for working hard and finishing that paper by going to Chipotle to get a burrito.
Before I go on, there’s something you should know about me. I love Mexican food. Not in the same way I love God, or my family, or you, my friends, but I really think it’s tasty. So I was already salivating at the thought of eating a Chipotle burrito. MMM MMM mmmmmmm.
After my second class got out, I walked the half mile or so quite briskly to Chipotle, with my stomach growling all the way. While I was nearing Chipotle and could see it a block away, I felt a little check in my heart…like going to stuff my face with delicious Mexican food was somehow not what I was supposed to do that afternoon.
I continued walking and was just a few shops away, when I noticed something in between me and my destination. He was a mid-50s black man who was shaking a Chipotle cup with a few quarters in it. Immediately I knew that I could not walk past without talking with him.
Would I quickly say no to his plea for money and give him the shoulder so that I wouldn’t have to give something up? I knew I didn’t have cash in my wallet so for a second I thought I was “safe” and wouldn’t have to serve this homeless man. BUT, I knew what I was supposed to do. What God had laid on my heart to do.
I was a few feet away from him now. He asked me for money. I said I didn’t have any but asked him if he wanted some food, pointing to Chipotle. He let me know just the way he liked it. Burrito with chicken, hot salsa, the works….Exactly how I was going to order mine.
I got in line, and immediately began thinking about how I was going to make this experience “worth it”. I knew I only had $6.50-something in my checking account…and that would only buy one burrito. The thought entered my head, I am ashamed to admit, that I could just buy it and walk out the other door quickly, avoiding interaction with him again, and try to still get my Chipotle fix without having to give up this burrito (what had become somewhat of an idol for me), which I was so hungry to eat.
Absolutely not! I would buy this burrito for this man, because that’s what I promised I would do. Ugh, I was SO hungry. Then an urge moved into my heart that battled against my hunger. (Thank you, Jesus!).
Give up the burrito. Give it up, and ask this man what his relationship with God is like. Care about his heart, not my stomach.
I ordered the burrito, paid, and walked out the door and toward the man. I handed him the burrito and he said, “God bless you.” I asked him, “Do you know Jesus?” He said yes, and we talked about his life for a minute or two.
He offered to split the burrito with me. I said no, but that I would pray for him whenever I got hunger pains for the rest of the afternoon.
He asked if I would pray for him right now. As students streamed by on the sidewalk, I prayed for this man with my arm on his shoulder. I prayed for God to bless him, and to continue to provide for him, and to strengthen him. It was a beautiful moment, where although I had been selfish, and wanted to just serve myself, God humbled me and used me, a sinner, to bless someone else.
I had to get to class, and he had to keep shaking his cup for money, since he couldn’t make ends meet on the $500 per month disability he was receiving from the government. I will continue to pray for Brian: that God strengthens him, and continues to provide for him, and that he grows in his faith and trust in Jesus.
Let’s seek more experiences like this. Let’s ask God to guide us by the Holy Spirit and to use us more often to love and serve others!
Tomorrow, Real Life teams are leaving for the summer. Follow @reallifemission on Twitter (#rlsummer11) and read the blogs to keep up with our college missionaries!
Would you like to spend a semester — or a whole academic year — seeking God this way? Sure beats writing research papers. Check out adventures.org/reallife for your opportunity to go “study” abroad; your Brian is somewhere in Africa, Asia or Central America.
P.S. The upcoming Immersion trip that Joey’s going on is already full; you could, however, go on a Real Life trip this fall and come home for Christmas and go on another one in the spring.
P.P.S. Past Real Life missionaries have been able to get college credit — we ourselves do not grant it but there are ways you can work with your school. Call us or 800.881.2461 or email us at reallife@adventures.org to find out more.
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