I asked God for the city and He gave me a bus stop

As ministers most of us pray, "God, give us the city...," and we can cite Scriptural references for that prayer. And then we go about our daily routines often times missing God's response to our prayer. I've been praying that prayer too in our work as Urban Missionaries, dreaming visions of grandeur of God giving us the city. But to be honestly, I had no clue what "give me the city" meant, but it's how we pray. And so, I say that prayer every day. And then God went and did what He loves to do, He confronted me with His Word. Jesus said, "Do you not say, "There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest." (John 4:35 NASB)

I know that Jesus, that's why we're here. Now, just lead me to those fields and I'll start harvesting. And His response? Why would I give you other fields when you are not tending to the one right in front of you?

Huh?

Let me give you some context. As part of our initial ministry at Mission: Go Detroit we have opened a martial arts school, Lion's Roar Extreme Martial Arts. In His wisdom God has landed us on a prominent corner of a busy intersection in our community. Thousands of cars and pedestrians pass by every day. And right outside our front door is a bus stop, a harvest field. Daily, hundreds of people get on and off the bus right in front of us, and do you know how we have been ministering to them? Yeah, I've had to ask for forgiveness because I've neglected the field God has given me. All of a sudden God's words hit home, "why would I give you other fields when you are not tending to the one right in front of you?" Ouch!

And, God worked through my daughter Cori to bring it home all the more. Cori is an artist and she has been painting advertising on our store front windows. Last night it was hot, especially by Detroit standards and while she was painting a lady was waiting at the bus stop. As her and Cori carried on casual conversation the lady mentioned her back her. So Cori gave her a chair and a cold bottle of water, you know, that whoever gives a cold drink of water to one of the least of these does it to Me as well thing Jesus taught? (Matthew 25:35)

Then the Holy Spirit continued His conversation with me about the harvest fields. He lead me back to a journal entry from about a month ago. I was asking the Lord what to do with some poorly utilized space in our building? Ironically, the bus stop is right outside the door. I felt the crazy impression to use it as a gathering place with a place to fellowship, with coffee and water, Christian books, etc. How crazy I thought. So I just kind of let that sit. Hmm, the harvest field. But then human reasoning kicked in. But God, we have children that pass through that area for classes, and we don't know who might be in there. I'm a little fearful. And wouldn't you know, the Holy Spirit checked me and said I needed to ask Him to sanctify that fear into boldness because "perfect love cast out all fear." (1 John 4:18) Then He reminded me that we are a martial arts school. At any given time the place is full of people being trained in martial arts and during the time the kids are there Big John is always in the building. Big John is a nickname that fits him well. And what a better way to teach our students of the love of God. The dojo (school) might be the safest place in town while open.

So, Lord, forgive me for not caring for the harvest field right outside our door. Thank you for giving us the city in the form of a bus stop.

Has God already answered your prayer for the harvest fields? Stop, and take another look around. You might be surprised at what He has already given you.

Look for the back door!

Shawn