Perfect Timing
Perfect Timing
Ruth 1:22
So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabite her daughter-in-law with her, who returned from the country of Moab. And they came to Bethlehem at the beginning of barley harvest.
Around sixteen years ago, late one Sunday night, as I sat in a car in the church parking lot talking with a friend, a burly, disheveled man suddenly knocked on the car window and startled me. I cautiously lowered the window just enough to get a better look at him, and I noticed that he was sweating feverishly, had a painful limp, and seemed legitimately in need of help. He interrupted my profiling glance with a string of apologies: “I’m so sorry to bother you—I’m not trying to get alcohol or drugs, I swear—but my car is broken down and I’m on empty and I’ve got a bum leg from a recent surgery and I’ve got no money right now; can you please just meet me over at the gas station and get me a few dollars’ worth of gas?” So, I did.
I followed the man to the pump, pulled up behind his car, and told him I’d fill up his tank. He was effusive with gratitude, and it made me feel good. But as he went to inspect his car engine while I got the pump going, I suddenly felt compelled to share the gospel with him. He needed Christ more than he needed gasoline, but I was lost for words. The numbers on the screen seemed to move at light speed and I just sort of froze. Yet, right then, as soon as the gas pump dinged from completion, an Asian lady pulled up on the other side of the pump, stepped out of her car, handed me a gospel tract, and then got back in her car and disappeared. Oh, the mercy and magnitude of Providence! Do you see what God did, friend? I had been too scared to preach that day, but I was willing to buy a beggar some gas; and that lady had been too scared to speak to strangers, but she was willing to drive around and hand out tracts; and God combined both our strengths and weaknesses to bring about His redemptive purpose!
Naomi’s running on fumes right now, and Ruth has the faith but not the resources, but God will supply what’s lacking for both.