Victory Collection-Book Two

Unlikely Angel

Unlikely Angel

Charlie was homeless, living under a bridge or wherever he was allowed. He spent the night, once, in the laundry room of a senior apartment complex. No one saw him, but he read an exchange book there that changed his entire life! It was a Christian book, not the bible, but all in agreement with it. He now knew what his purpose was in life. He was to live out the words in the book and encourage people to believe in Christ as their Lord. But how could he explain how a loving God could allow him to be on the streets?

When Satan attacks or life disappoints, God is there to pick up the pieces. But, it doesn't always look like we might expect. Sometime, we are allowed to go through bad times, to see if we will remain true through it all. He has a friend who has Stage 4 cancer that has metastasized all over his body. How can that bring God Glory? Two ways, to show ourselves faithful or because He is healing us outright. Miracles are manifested everywhere today, as well as in bible times. Jesus said we "will do even greater things because He was going to His Father" (John 14: 12-14 King James bible)

Many of the people who were homeless were addicted to drugs or alcohol, but not all. Some were wandering, disconnected from family and friends. Sometimes, they had depression or other mental or physical disability, with no financial assistance or insurance. They are called disenfranchised.
But Charlie, and the other homeless people he met, would discuss politics and social events they read about from the newspapers they "found" in trash bins. They did this, even though, without a permanent residence, they could not vote in that county without a permanent residence.

Some of them would talk about God, if Charlie initiated the conversation. Some, actually, were hungry to ask questions and learn. He found an old bible, one day, that someone had discarded. It was tattered, but just as true and viable as when it was new. In Hebrew, God-inspired translates as "God- breathed" (into the men who penned the Holy Bible). The scriptures don't change because God doesn't change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Charlie talked to a woman who thought God needed to rewrite the bible so humanity would understand that He is a God of love. He has proven Himself over and over, in many ways, but it is still thought to be not enough.

He cares about every part of our lives and always answers prayer. Sometimes, we don't recognize the answer, because the answer is "no" or "wait". He doesn't receive nearly enough credit for love, patience, forgiveness, miracles, healing, etc, etc. Jesus is an equal part of the one true God, yet He is thought of as only a kind, gentle prophet. The Holy Spirit is maligned and unappreciated far too much. And even God, the Father, is not understood or praised enough. Often, people feel they know bible truths, but misquote them or use verses for their own misguided selfish reasons.

Charlie started attending church services, to learn more that he could share with others. The churches were able to give him food and a certain amount of money. But he was mostly hungry for learning about God's Word (the bible) and Christian books that were true too, according to the bible.
He was able to find those inexpensive used books in the back of thrift stores or being exchanged in some laundry mats, and other places that exchanged free books. He learned a lot and was being used by God to reach other lost souls. He became a Christian and understood what it meant to have a personal spiritual relationship with the Lord Jesus.

It was the difference between what God intended and merely religion that went through the motions. He learned that when people become what the scriptures calls being "born again", a transformation happens from the inside out. In other words, Charlie knew, without a doubt, that he didn't need to clean up his life before he accepted Christ as his Savior.

There is the story that Jesus told about the "Prodigal Son" who took his inheritance early and squandered it on fast living. When everything was gone, he was eating pig slop to stay alive. He knew that even his father's servants ate better than he was, so he would go to his father and offer to serve him as a servant. He said he was not worthy to be called a son.

But when he was approaching his home, his loving father saw him and ran to his wandering son. He commanded his servants to treat his son like royalty and kill a fatted calf for a feast. His son was threat-bare and filthy. But his father didn't require him to clean up before he welcomed him with open arms. That is like "our father" in Heaven, welcoming us when we come to Him
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The father's other son was like some Christians. He was resentful of God accepting someone who has been living in sin or uncleanliness. He told his father: "I have been faithful all these years and you never killed a fatted calf for me. But his father's reply was, again, like God. He said: "Everything I have it yours. My young son was lost and is now found (dead and now lives)".

Did it means God would get him out of his situation, being without a home? Not necessarily. There was work to be done, with the contacts he was reaching as a homeless person himself. Also, God sometimes uses the most unlikely people (like King David) to do His work. Charlie wasn't an angel in the real sense. But God used him for a higher purpose and blessed him right where he was, not with riches but love, comfort, inner peace, joy and much more than wealth. Those are things money can't buy and can be shared with others. Sometimes, the most unholy, evil people can have their lives turned around by the Lord, like Saul who killed many Christians before he was renamed Paul and served Jesus and Christianity with all his heart. He was even martyred for the cause of Christ.

We are called to live for Him and let our light shine. We are not to selfishly keep the "good news" about Christ's salvation to ourselves, and merely watch others go to hell apart from God. He sent Jesus to the Cross, because He didn't want anyone to go to hell. In fact, it was created for Satan and all of the angels that fell with him (who are now demons. Yes, they really exist). There are those who are on drugs or have mental illness. They are said to be fighting their own demons. And, indeed they are. Jesus and the disciples and later the followers of Christ cast out demons ... the spirit of infirmity (mental/physical disease), the spirit of depression or hatred, anger, jealousy, envy, and on and on.

Charlie knew he had no small task. But he believed he was doing God's Will and his assignment in life. So, he persevered in spite of his present plight. One man told him he wouldn't be in his predicament if God wasn't punishing him for something. God gets blamed for a lot. He needed Charlie to be right where he had him to bring homeless people and others to Christ to be saved. He was a part of God's overall plan and had a special purpose all his own! God gave me a dream that will illustrate what I mean. God has things in Hand. Not sure? ... Let me tell you about a very short dream I had. I realize, not every dream is from God, but this one got my attention:

I had been working on several stories at once. I went to sleep feeling a bit discouraged by the fact that my time-table, for the publishing process, would be slower than anticipated. I dreamed I was a baby chick, surrounded by a group of people, who we talking. Somehow, I knew the subject was my writing and that the chick was me. Next thing I knew, the chick was being lifted up by a man's tender, loving Hands (that I came to realize was Jesus) and gently placed into a large space in a line of people, as though it was meant just for me, smack-dab in the middle. A voice said, distinctly: "The Father (God) said you are exactly where He wants you to be."!

I awakened reassured. Going directly to the computer, I looked up the scripture reference (Matthew 23:37 King James bible) where Jesus said: "How often I have wanted to gather your children, like a hen gathers her chicks under her wings". Christ's beautiful metaphor is not a miracle, in its own right, but I consider it pretty miraculous that God talks to us in various ways: audibly (as in Bible times) or by that still small voice; through scriptures; and sometimes in dreams! And, don't forget how He shows Himself through many modern-day miracles! We can blame God for the circumstances in our lives, or we can thank Him for his love and goodness for seeing us out of, or through it, with a testimony.