We set out to have a fun and fabulous girls weekend.  Some might call us an “interesting” bunch-one accountant, two teachers, and a scientist.  Three of us stay-at-home moms and one swinging single.  Although we were in various seasons and stages of our lives, we had attended the same church, Bible studies, and women’s retreats.  We knew each other’s stories; we knew the good, bad, and the ugly.  Though there were many differences woven throughout each of our stories, the glue that held us together was our love for our Lord.  We were sisters in Christ. 

The four of us left Kansas City, flew to Denver, grabbed our rental car, and headed for our condo in beautiful Keystone.  It was Labor Day weekend, and that was exactly what we wanted to escape-our “labor.”  We didn’t plan much-a few sightseeing things, some shopping, lots of coffee, good books, late-night chats, and laughter beyond measure.

We decided to splurge one evening and go on a guided jeep tour.  The $100 per person was much more than we were comfortable with but we decided to go for it anyway.  All of us, being enamored with God’s beautiful creation, were looking forward to being ushered right into His beauty up close and personal.  We laughed at Chelle who kept praying for God to show us some wildlife.

We had a wonderful time with our crazy tour guide.  We were fascinated by his stories.  He was warm, friendly, and inviting.  Because of everything he shared with us, we felt invited right into the core of his searching, seeking, and lonely heart.  None of us, having been Christians for many, many years, had the gift of evangelism.  But all four of us knew a lost soul when we heard one.  Touring the mountains, forests, and streams of Colorado, listening to our tour guide share his lost heart with us, we knew God had opened a door for us to share Truth.

As we slowly opened that door and shared from our hearts, we quickly found out that the gift of evangelism wasn’t needed.  Willing hearts, albeit scared and nervous and anxious, were needed.  A simple willingness to be obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit.  We totally lost sight of the beauty of the Almighty God outside the jeep, and became focused on the beauty of sharing Him with our tour guide inside the jeep.  Each of us shared Jesus with this perfect stranger who, in an hour’s time, had become our friend.  He was hungry to hear Truth.  He was wide open.  He asked us question after question about our faith, creation, who God was, who Jesus was, and how it all fit together.  What was intended to be a two hour jeep tour ended up to be nearly four hours of watching God at work-either in His beautiful creation of the past or His wonderful voice of the present moment.

As I look back on that experience, I almost chuckle…then almost weep.  We prayed that God would show us some wildlife.  We had no idea that God would show us something beyond wildlife.  He would show us the most amazing, wild life-experience none of us could have ever imagined. 

1 Peter 3:15 comes to mind: “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”  Four women.  Four different walks of life.  All of us setting apart Christ as Lord.  Prepared to give an answer?  Maybe.  Sharing the hope that we have with gentleness and respect?  Absolutely!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:20).