Today I started out my morning and it was pretty normal. I was running a bit late but still made it to Bible study on time. I had a great study and then decided to run some errands. I walked out of a store and couldn't remember where on earth I parked. I paused on the sidewalk and looked around, trying to locate my car so I didn't have to just wander up and down the aisles looking for it. From behind me I heard a woman call out to me.
When I turned she asked for a ride to another store, the one that I was actually going to next. Normally I don't give rides to people I don't know but for some reason I felt like the Lord was leading me to say yes, so I did. When we got in the car, she immediately noticed that I had a Christian station playing on the radio. She was so excited and asked me if I was a believer, when I confirmed that I was she was thrilled and told me she was also a sister in Christ. As we drove she asked me to tell her my testimony.
As we got to the store she asked if I'd be able to take her home afterwards. Since it wasn't far away I agreed. She finished at the store and went out ahead of me, when I finished I walked out to find her talking to another woman. She introduced us and explained that this woman was also a Christian. She was so excited that there were three of us and commented how wonderful it was. The new woman, we'll call her Grace, said that was what heaven would be like, spending time worshiping the Lord with other believers for all eternity.
Then the conversation took a turn for the weird. Val, the woman I gave the ride to started talking about how Jesus was coming back soon on a space ship. She said that her husband told her that the prophecies describe a space ship, or more accurately, a space station, that has four quadrants. It's called Zion and it's supposed to enter the world between a couple of stars where a black hole recently appeared, supposedly.
As she talked I mentally rolled my eyes and looked over at Grace to see her reaction. Grace didn't even notice I looked at her because she was giving 100% of her attention to Val. When she was finished Grace smiled and sweetly but firmly said, "Well I don't believe a word of that."
Val was shocked and said, "But it says He's going to be seen everywhere, how do you explain that if it's not a space ship."
The conversation continued for a few minutes as Grace explained that in the Psalms it talks about how God holds the universe in his hand. Val was confused and she didn't agree by the time we walked away but through the whole thing I found that Grace's response inspired and challenged me.
See when I was uncomfortable I just kind of rolled my eyes but didn't respond. Grace on the other hand wasn't going to stand for it. She was incredibly patient, she never laughed or talked down about what she obviously thought was a very out there idea. She was kind and she gave her full attention to Val without ever shying away.
It made me think about how I react when I come across someone who has different beliefs then I do or doesn't hold to the same social niceties I'm used to. Next time I hope that instead of rolling my eyes when someone's ideas seem strange or silly to me I'll listen and treat them with kindness but still stand up for my beliefs like Grace did with Val.
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