Here is a story from one of our students. This interaction is the fruit of being sensitive to what the Holy Spirit is saying when being out and about. All it takes is one step of boldness to start a conversation that could change someones life...
When I first walked into the library, I noticed Samantha. Later, after I sat down, he walked by again, and I immediately felt the weight of the Holy Spirit. I sensed hostility and deep pain around him. After praying for a moment, I went over and started talking with him. He told me he had been kicked out of the place he was staying and spent the previous night on the streets. He has multiple medical conditions, including POTTS, along with many mental health struggles. He had called 911 the night before and ended up in the hospital. He was at the library trying to find somewhere to stay, but his mom had just agreed to let him come home. Once he told me this, he began to open up about his entire life.
He shared that he transitioned three years ago and mentioned that he knew the Bible taught differently, but felt he had to make that choice to survive. I did not say anything in response but continued listening. He talked about the anger that can rise in him without warning and then shared the most painful memory of his life.
When he was eighteen, his father tragically died after falling down the stairs. He witnessed his father's gruesome death and said everything in his life changed after that. He grew up in the church and used to love talking with his dad about theology. He still has nightmares and sleep paralysis connected to the trauma.
He then told me about his former marriage, his children, and the sense of never fitting in as he grew up. He talked openly about depression, suicide attempts, and the damage it caused to his body. When I asked how he copes with all of this, he said it has been extremely difficult but that he has been turning back to God over the last few months. He believes the spiritual pressure he is experiencing is because he is moving toward truth. It was as if something shifted. He began describing everything God has been showing him. He has been reading scripture again and feels strongly about holiness, obedience, and not living a lukewarm life. He even shared that his belief about once-saved-always-saved caused tension with family and ultimately got him removed from his uncle’s home.
Throughout our conversation, he mentioned his transition several times. It sounded like he carried regret, yet he was mainly feeling conviction about other areas of his life. He said that if God ever made something clear to him, he would obey. He talked passionately about walking the narrow road and wanting his life to align with scripture.
He told me that a few months earlier, he had called a pastor to ask biblical questions. Before asking anything, he told the pastor about his transition. The pastor responded by telling him he was destined for hell and beyond saving. He said that conversation crushed him. He shared how rejected he felt, how much shame he carried, and how deeply he wants to know God but does not have anyone to help him understand. He even related to Elijah, feeling at the end of himself and needing God to fill him. He kept expressing that God is his safe place and his strength.
I told him he was highlighted to me by the Lord and that God sees him and desires to heal, not shame him. We talked about the story in 1 Kings 19 and then prayed together. I told him I would like to stand with him and walk with him, and we agreed to meet again soon. Before leaving, we hugged and he said he was not even planning to come to the library but changed his plans at the last minute. He said now he knew why.
He shared that he transitioned three years ago and mentioned that he knew the Bible taught differently, but felt he had to make that choice to survive. I did not say anything in response but continued listening. He talked about the anger that can rise in him without warning and then shared the most painful memory of his life.
When he was eighteen, his father tragically died after falling down the stairs. He witnessed his father's gruesome death and said everything in his life changed after that. He grew up in the church and used to love talking with his dad about theology. He still has nightmares and sleep paralysis connected to the trauma.
He then told me about his former marriage, his children, and the sense of never fitting in as he grew up. He talked openly about depression, suicide attempts, and the damage it caused to his body. When I asked how he copes with all of this, he said it has been extremely difficult but that he has been turning back to God over the last few months. He believes the spiritual pressure he is experiencing is because he is moving toward truth. It was as if something shifted. He began describing everything God has been showing him. He has been reading scripture again and feels strongly about holiness, obedience, and not living a lukewarm life. He even shared that his belief about once-saved-always-saved caused tension with family and ultimately got him removed from his uncle’s home.
Throughout our conversation, he mentioned his transition several times. It sounded like he carried regret, yet he was mainly feeling conviction about other areas of his life. He said that if God ever made something clear to him, he would obey. He talked passionately about walking the narrow road and wanting his life to align with scripture.
He told me that a few months earlier, he had called a pastor to ask biblical questions. Before asking anything, he told the pastor about his transition. The pastor responded by telling him he was destined for hell and beyond saving. He said that conversation crushed him. He shared how rejected he felt, how much shame he carried, and how deeply he wants to know God but does not have anyone to help him understand. He even related to Elijah, feeling at the end of himself and needing God to fill him. He kept expressing that God is his safe place and his strength.
I told him he was highlighted to me by the Lord and that God sees him and desires to heal, not shame him. We talked about the story in 1 Kings 19 and then prayed together. I told him I would like to stand with him and walk with him, and we agreed to meet again soon. Before leaving, we hugged and he said he was not even planning to come to the library but changed his plans at the last minute. He said now he knew why.
Posted in Stories From the Field