Jesus Interruption

I entered Ellwood Coffee, as is my custom, this past Sunday morning.  The place had the normal buzz of activity – two people getting an early start on studying, one guy chasing his hangover with some bold Blanchard’s coffee, many others reading the Times, and of course the workers behind the counter.  Most pastor types have a similar, haunting question that floats through their minds every Sunday morning in contexts like this all over the world, “Why aren’t these folks interested in worshipping God this morning?” 

 

As I got my coffee and turned toward the door I saw her.  I had not noticed her at first among all the other “non-Believers” in the shop.  She was a nun dressed in her full sacred garment.  As my eyes continued to fix on here I noticed she was incredibly little and thin, was picking at a muffin, and reading Holy Scripture.  I was intrigued by the “Jesus Interruption” taking place before me.

 

I wonder how God chose to display himself through her on that day?  Let’s use our imagination for a minute.  The guy chasing his hangover with some strong coffee looks up and begins to notice her.  His head is pounding.  He is full of regret.  Why does he continue to turn to drink to dull his pain?  He is mesmerized by her and all her life represents.  She is fully devoted to God.  She has renounced the world and all it has to offer.  How does she do that?  Why did she do that?  Why haven’t I done that? She is at such peace. She never actually speaks to him.

 

He leaves and goes home.  As he plops down on the couch and reaches for the remote, he glances underneath the coffee table.  The stack of unused, dust-collecting books are in their usual position.  But this time one of them catches his eye – an old Bible given to him 14 years ago by a girl he briefly dated in college.  He reaches for it and opens to the first page.  The note from his old girlfriend simply reads, “Never thirst again! John 4:14”

 

With the dehydrated feel from the night before still in his mouth, he reads the words of Jesus, “Whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.  Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”  And for the first time in as long as he can remember, he brings to cry.  Not a little cry, but the kind of wailing that represents a long, overdue, repentant sob.  Each tear representing a previous act of defiance against a heavenly Father who deeply loves him.  When he finally gains composure, he is able to whisper through his salty tears, “I believe.” 

 

Jesus interrupts lives, and we are never the same again.  I wonder if we really believe that?  I mean REALLY believe it.  Only you can answer that question.  Only I can answer that question for me.  Last Sunday, a frail nun in the latter half of her life answered that question at Ellwood Coffee.