This morning, I sit in my classroom reflecting on a conversation I had with a man at the Passion Conference I attended last week. It was my third day serving, and I was already worn out from the early morning start and the two late nights before. I was mentally and physically exhausted! The day before, Ben Stuart from Passion City Church, had delivered a phenomenal message from Mark 4 about the Parable of the Sower and the Seed. He expressed the difference between two groups of people, believers and unbelievers, and having discernment regarding those we interact with and helping them in their darkness. Sitting in the corner of the break room that morning, my eyes inspected the room where I had tucked myself away from everyone. I saw a man standing next to one of the trash cans, his head down, his eyes heavy, and his mouth frowning. He paced the floor around the trash can, then looked up to lock eyes with mine for a brief second, and then turned his back to me. I had to get back to work so I considered my options, throw my trash away and return to my post or throw my trash away and check on the gloomy stranger. As I walked toward the trash can, the man turned around to face me. God opened the door for me. We exchanged pleasantries but I felt the overwhelming need for more. He had a different logo on his shirt than the rest of us, so I asked how he was serving at Passion, and he said he was part of the clean-up crew. I asked him about the ministry he worked for, and he explained the program he had been in for 4 weeks was the option the judge gave him to avoid prison. The ministry he was attached to offered him rehabilitation and an opportunity to get back on his feet after making some bad choices. I continued to engage because I could tell he wanted to keep sharing his story. He had been in the restaurant business for 15 years when COVID hit in 2020. The restaurants shut down and he was unable to find work to sustain him. He became desperate, made wrong decisions, and ended up facing time in prison. The judge gave him two paths to choose from and he knew that if he ended up in a cage, his life would never be the same again and the path would be dark. As he shared his story, I sensed such optimism and hope in his voice. He said he didn’t want to be trapped because he had a desire to serve and help people. He didn’t want to be the victim in his story. I loved that! He told me about the uncertainty he had in his life of where he would end up since his program carried on for 17 more months and he really wanted to improve his situation by the end. We talked for a few minutes before he was summoned by his crew to move out to their project assignments, but I asked if I could share a verse with him before he left. I gave him Psalm 25:4-5 that says, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths, guide me in your truth and teach me. For you are God my Savior and my hope is in you all day long.” I had him repeat it back to me and then we shook hands and went our separate ways. Psalm 25:4 helped me through one of the hardest parts of my life so I memorized it for the day when I needed to share with others who should hear it. I use it often!

Do we engage or do we avoid? I heard God urging me to approach the gloomy stranger and I listened. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I listened and heard. How can we engage more people this year and hear their stories, their joys, or listen to their pain? We are here for only a season, and we should take every opportunity to serve Him and be His hands and feet. I pray that you have the strength to step out boldly.

Ginger Turner is the Founder and Director of Warriors for God Ministry. She has a Master’s Degree from Liberty University in Marriage and Family Therapy, is a Board Certified Mental Health Coach, and a Christian Life Coach. Ginger, her husband, and three children reside in the Hill Country of Texas where she teaches and counsels couples, young children, and teenagers. Her focus is on enriching marriages and families, suicide awareness, and coaching the community on Whole Body Wellness. Ginger loves the Lord and lives every day for Him, serving Him in whatever capacity He sets on her path.