Has the love of God ever inconvenienced you? Sometimes love for others requires inconvenience on our part. Often, we are not aware that our discomfort is being used for God’s glory, but what an encouragement it is when God allows us to catch a glimpse of His working “all things (even the nuisances) for good.” Such was the case last December.
Stuck in an airport with kids. Not the most exciting way to spend an evening. After flying from Kansas City to Nashville, and from Nashville to Houston, all four of us were eager to board our flight to Costa Rica and be done with this long day. As we waited, our flight was delayed, not once, but twice. We kept thinking about our friends in Costa Rica, David Machado, and his wife, Laura, who usually go to bed quite early. They had agreed to pick us up at the airport, and we knew we’d be keeping them up way past their bedtime. Finally, our flight was called, and we were on our way, arriving exhausted and MUCH later than expected, but at least on the same day!
David and Laura were waiting for us with a warm “Tico” greeting and welcome help with loading our luggage. Thankfully, at that time of night the roads were less congested, and we arrived safely home at Birrisito an hour later. Suitcases were hauled into the house, then Zack left to take David and Laura home. Since it was close to midnight and he was so tired, he opted to take the smoother route to their house, avoiding the bumpy shortcut that he would normally use.
What Zack didn’t know was that all of this—the delayed flight, the change of route to our friends’ home, the late hour—everything was a divine appointment.
What Zack didn’t know was that all of this—the delayed flight, the change of route to our friends’ home, the late hour—everything was a divine appointment. As he turned off the main road and headed toward David and Laura’s neighborhood, he passed a section of road that bordered a ravine with a stream at the bottom. His headlights picked up a hand and arm waving from the side of the road! Someone had fallen off the edge!!! Quickly, he backed up to check out the situation. David jumped out and discovered an older man who had stumbled off the road and into the ravine, where he was precariously held by a stand of bamboo, keeping him from sliding further down. As David and Zach men pulled the man to safety, they thought at first that he was drunk. Actually, he was terribly disoriented and bleeding from an injury on his face. Once he was out of the ravine, David recognized him and told Zack, “I know where this man lives.” They helped him into the vehicle and got him safely home.
The next day, as we were cleaning the blood and dirt out of our Land Cruiser, we wondered if the dear old man would have survived the night had our flight not been delayed. What was an inconvenience for us put Zack and David in the right place, at the right time, to help someone who desperately needed them that night!
Sometimes, love is inconvenient. Sometimes letting God love people through us gets messy. It can be hard. It can be exhausting. But it is always worth it! Are you willing to be inconvenienced for love?