God in Unexpected Places

I had to take my car to the dealership today for some routine maintenance.  As I was waiting for the shuttle driver to come back, I heard the Parts Director shout out from his office to the guy working the parts counter.  He said, “So, Nick, were you asking because you are afraid for your salvation, or because you just wanted more knowledge about the Bible?”  They then proceeded to have a conversation about the message of the Bible, different versions of the Bible, and the best way to approach a Bible study.

I was so taken aback by this conversation.  Here they were having an open conversation about God in a public place with no qualms about who overheard.  I’m so used to people hiding their faith because of who might be offended by it, that I wasn’t ready to hear it discussed so openly.  It was amazing and nice.

So, I decided to step into the Parts Director’s office and tell him.  He then struck up a conversation with me, and we talked for the next hour about God’s diminishing role in society, the breakdown of values, the dissolution of marriage, and the fragmentation of the family unit.  All of it correlates to people removing God from their lives or giving Him a lesser role to play.

But what struck me the most was that here was this man who had never gone to college and was working at a modest-paying job at a car dealership spouting such wisdom and insight.  By society’s standards, he wouldn’t be revered or thought educated or successful.  He was just an average man that most people would overlook.  But God was doing great work in this man, and he was receptive to it. 

What a strange place and way to encounter God.  What an unexpected way to start my day.  But also, amazing!  As VJ said, “Wow!  Just wow!”