Jesus at Wal-Mart

Red-light. My turn signal blinked left as tears welled up in my eyes. Close to my destination, I could see where I would be in two minutes.

Wal-Mart.

Nearing 10 at night, I wasn’t heading there to shop. I was going to work. This was week three at Wal-Mart as an O/N STOCKER. Over/night—10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. Stocking shelves.

For any significant life-decision I rely on what the Bible says: “My sheep will hear My voice.” I pray, seeking God’s direction.

When I did this, I felt led to apply for a job at Wal-Mart. God quickly presented me assurance this was correct. Within a few days, I received calls from two stores with job opportunities. This was as newspaper headlines were proclaiming: “Worst Unemployment in Fifteen Years.”

Still, I couldn’t help asking, “God, why did you give me this job?”

God, I’ve been the boss at every job I’ve worked at for the last 28 years. Now I put Drano, bleach, toilet paper, and a blurring-stack of stuff on never-ending steel shelves.

God, I’m a writer. Did you know I write for a bunch of newspapers? I wrote a book. I’m a pastor with a degree in Christian ministry.

The light turned green. I sucked in my emotions. Stifling the urge to flat-out start crying.
I could even be asking, “God, have you forsaken me?”

Actually, the tears were because: “I love my job.” I’m serving God at a location and capacity off the radar of my human reasoning. People need Jesus at Wal-Mart too!

The Bible says, “For, You LORD have never forsaken those who seek You.”

Forsaken: deserted; abandoned. Never. Not even in the middle-of-the-night at Wal-Mart.
Human reasoning will fail us. There is a better way—the faith-adventure. Listen to Jesus, “Hear My voice…follow Me.”