I might come across as being adventurous and completely independent, but there are some things I don’t like to do alone — particularly doctor’s appointments. So, you can imagine my horror when I found out I needed to go to Mayo Clinic for a two-week physical therapy program. Alone. Without family, friends or any of the comforts of home.
“I don’t know if I can do this,” I told my husband.
He reassured me that I could and I would, and that everything was going to be just fine. Easy for you to say, I thought to myself.
Last Monday marked the start of that two-week program, and I’ll be honest with you — it’s been rough. But it’s also been full of some pretty wonderful God moments, and I’d like to share one of those moments with you this morning …
Exhaustion hit me by the end of day two. I desperately missed my husband. I missed my dog. I missed home. As I left the waiting room of the Mayo Building’s 14th floor, I knew I had two options:
1) Go back to the guesthouse and cry into a pillow until my lungs gave out.
2) Sit in the Mayo lobby, breathe, read God’s Word and pray.
My flesh wanted to go with option one, but I could feel the Holy Spirit guiding me toward option two. So, that’s exactly what I did. I took the elevator down to the lobby, plopped myself into a chair, closed my eyes and just breathed.
Open your eyes. I heard the Spirit say.
And when I did, I was amazed at what I saw. Before I sat down, my focus was only on myself and my problems. Now I saw the lobby with fresh eyes. I didn’t just see and feel my pain, I saw hundreds of hurting people. Hundreds of people looking for HOPE. Hundreds of people looking for JOY. Hundreds of people needing PEACE. Hundreds of people just wanting to be LOVED and HEALED.
And just like that, I felt the Spirit speaking once again. You may think you are all alone, but don’t forget … you always have me. Some of these people don’t have me. They’ve never heard of me. Or worse, they’ve turned away from me. But you have me, and you always will. Don’t forget what a precious gift that is, Lauren.
You could say this was definitely one of those, “OK, GOD! I hear you loud and clear!” moments.
For those who haven’t been to or heard of The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., it’s one of the biggest healthcare campuses in the world. People from every nation fly in to receive care here, because it’s some of the best care you could ever receive. It’s a melting pot of different lifestyles, cultures, religions, ethnicities, and other beliefs and traditions.
In a way, it’s a microcosm of our world — all in one place. And it’s a vivid reminder of just how much this world needs Jesus and the hope, joy, peace, love and healing He has to offer us.
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You might not be at Mayo Clinic this next week, but you will come in contact with people who need Jesus. So here’s my challenge to all of us:
The next time you’re out and about, don’t think about yourself and your problems. Instead, look around and SEE how you might be able to spread hope and light to the people in your midst — especially those who might not know about the Good News.
Every moment matters. Every encounter matters. So, let’s make every minute count.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” {Matthew 5:14-16}
Go and be the light.
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