Jesus in Disguise

I looked at my watch as I made my way quickly to the exit of the little grocery store. I had just picked up a few items that I needed for an object lesson that I would use in a sermon to a group of Ukrainian children. I was running late, and on my way over to the church where the Vacation Bible School was being held, the children were gathered - and where I was to speak in just half an hour!

As I pushed through the doors, and stepped out onto the sidewalk, a plump elderly “babushka” called out to me. “Young man?”

I paused. “Yes?”

She cocked her head and smiled the typical, Ukrainian babushka smile. “Young man, you aren’t driving a car, by chance, are you?”

“Uh...yes, I am, actually...”

She smiled even bigger, and moved toward me. “Then could you take me across town to my apartment? I have all these groceries. I live over on 39 Lenin Avenue.” She continued to smile and raised her eyebrows expectantly.

I sighed and shook my head apologetically. “Oh, I really am sorry, but I’m in a hurry, and I’m headed the opposite way across town!” This was the truth, but it didn’t make the words feel any better as they came out of my mouth.

“Oh, but it won’t take long,” she urged.

“I’m really sorry,” I said, already moving away. “Really...”

I got to my vehicle and fumbled for the door handle. I really was in a hurry. I was going to be sharing the gospel with a large group of children. This was important and it was my commitment. I needed to be there....

But, as I turned the key in the ignition and backed out of my parking place, a wave of realization swept over me.

What was I doing? I would make it in time to speak to the children! They weren’t going anywhere! And I wasn’t running all that late anyway. This lady, on the other hand, might never come into my life again. And what if...? What if this appointment was a divine appointment? What if this appointment was the whole reason that God had brought us to Ukraine? What if this one lady needed to feel and hear God’s love and that’s why I was here? Was I really going to rush past this opportunity?

“Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my bretheren, ye have done it unto me.” Remembering the words made me blush with shame. Mother Theresa was once asked by a journalist how she could bear all the filth, squalor, ingratitude, and ugliness that she witnessed constantly in the people that she served. “Oh, I don’t see all that,” she replied. “I just see Jesus in disguise.”

Suddenly, as I looked out my window at an ordinary babushka that looked much like every other babushka that walked the streets of Ukraine, I saw Jesus. But I had almost been too busy doing His work to even see Him.

Actually, her name is Galina. As she sat in my car that day driving to her apartment, we had a delightful time getting to know each other. In fact, that wasn’t the last time I saw her. Oksana even talked with her again on the phone just today. If we can help it, maybe Galina won’t have to ask strangers for rides home from the grocery store any longer.

And maybe, this time, it will be our turn to show her Jesus.

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Jesus in Disguise