Ambassadors For Jesus - Part III: Close Encounters www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com Proverbs 7:1-5 My son, keep my words and store up my commands within you. Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative.” They will keep you from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words. To say Sarah was quite impressed would be an understatement. The lawns were immaculately kept, the trees and bushes were perfectly manicured, and as far as the eye could see there wasn't a shred of litter in sight. To add to her delight, the yards were also flourishing with blooming flowers and fruit bearing trees, something she found extraordinary considering the time of year. Her mouth watered at their invitingly ripe appearance and she relished the idea of enjoying the sweet taste of freshly picked tangerine. Astonished, she wondered, How could this be? It isn't even the season. Furthermore, this all seemed to serve as a picturesque backdrop to homes that looked like something out of a Beverly Hills' movie. By the looks of it the pricetag appeared to exceed her humble income. Sensibility also reasoned that it was much more than what she needed, being a single gal and all. Even so, Sarah found herself daydreaming about what it would be like to live in such luxurious surroundings. As much as Sarah was enjoying herself, she began to finally tire. "I've probably overdone it for the day," she told herself and winced at the thought of having soar muscles the morning after. Up ahead she spotted what looked like a neighborhood marketplace and decided to stop in for a drink and some rest before making the long trip home. Drawing closer she saw others out and about in what appeared to be their best Sunday clothes, and as she compared her appearance to theirs self-consciousness began to intrude on her day once again. In a feeble attempt to make herself look more presentable, Sarah ran a hand over her windblown hair. Then, glancing down at her worn out sports attire she made an effort at straightening her sweatshirt, but before she could finish the task her head jerked up and her heart leaped in alarm at the sudden and unexpected sound of screeching tires. To her horror Sarah realized she had cycled in front of an oncoming vehicle. In her panic and hasty attempt to get out of the way she lost control of her bike, then catching her breath she braced herself for what seemed to be the inevitable, a fast and hard impact with the pavement below, and just when she had resigned to such a fate she was once again startled by arms that reached from behind her and lifted her off her seat just before her bike made contact with the ground. They then gently placed her on her unsteady feet and held her up while she regained her composure. When her head stopped spinning from the incident her eyes focused on her rescuer and she found herself staring into his piercing eyes. They seemed to look straight through her as if knowing her every concern and thought, but it was more comforting than intrusive. They also held a familiarity about them that she struggled to place. "You're ok now Sarah," he reassured her and Sarah shook her head in grateful agreement as waves of peace that defied her circumstances began to engulf her. "Are you ok? My God, are you ok?!" The driver of the vehicle was now beside them anxiously inspecting her. "Yes, yes..." she replied while nodding her head, "Thanks to this gentlemannn..." but her words had faded as she turned to face him again and realized he was no longer there. Who was that man? How did he know her name? Sarah sensed there was something familar about him and the fact that he knew her by name seemed to confirm her suspicions, their paths had crossed before...but where, and when? "Thank you JC," the driver of the vehicle breathed, and following his line of vision Sarah once again saw her Savior. He turned and smiled at them, then continued on his way. Part IV: Friend or Foe?

Ambassadors for Jesus

Committed to Learning and Growing in Him

Part III:

Close Encounters

www.ambassadorsforJesus5.com

Proverbs 7:1-5 My son, keep my words
   and store up my commands within you.
Keep my commands and you will live;
   guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.
Bind them on your fingers;
   write them on the tablet of your heart.
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
   and to insight, “You are my relative.”
They will keep you from the adulterous woman,
   from the wayward woman with her seductive words.

To say Sarah was quite impressed would be an understatement. The lawns were immaculately kept, the trees and bushes were perfectly manicured, and as far as the eye could see there wasn't a shred of litter in sight. To add to her delight, the yards were also flourishing with blooming flowers and fruit bearing trees, something she found extraordinary considering the time of year. Her mouth watered at their invitingly ripe appearance and she relished the idea of enjoying the sweet taste of freshly picked tangerine. Astonished, she wondered, How could this be? It isn't even the season.

Furthermore, this all seemed to serve as a picturesque backdrop to homes that looked like something out of a Beverly Hills' movie. By the looks of it the pricetag appeared to exceed her humble income. Sensibility also reasoned that it was much more than what she needed, being a single gal and all. Even so, Sarah found herself daydreaming about what it would be like to live in such luxurious surroundings.

As much as Sarah was enjoying herself, she began to finally tire. "I've probably overdone it for the day," she told herself and winced at the thought of having soar muscles the morning after. Up ahead she spotted what looked like a neighborhood marketplace and decided to stop in for a drink and some rest before making the long trip home. Drawing closer she saw others out and about in what appeared to be their best Sunday clothes, and as she compared her appearance to theirs self-consciousness began to intrude on her day once again.

In a feeble attempt to make herself look more presentable, Sarah ran a hand over her windblown hair. Then, glancing down at her worn out sports attire she made an effort at straightening her sweatshirt, but before she could finish the task her head jerked up and her heart leaped in alarm at the sudden and unexpected sound of screeching tires.

To her horror Sarah realized she had cycled in front of an oncoming vehicle. In her panic and hasty attempt to get out of the way she lost control of her bike, then catching her breath she braced herself for what seemed to be the inevitable, a fast and hard impact with the pavement below, and just when she had resigned to such a fate she was once again startled by arms that reached from behind her and lifted her off her seat just before her bike made contact with the ground. They then gently placed her on her unsteady feet and held her up while she regained her composure.

When her head stopped spinning from the incident her eyes focused on her rescuer and she found herself staring into his piercing eyes. They seemed to look straight through her as if knowing her every concern and thought, but it was more comforting than intrusive. They also held a familiarity about them that she struggled to place.

"You're ok now Sarah," he reassured her and Sarah shook her head in grateful agreement as waves of peace that defied her circumstances began to engulf her.

"Are you ok? My God, are you ok?!" The driver of the vehicle was now beside them anxiously inspecting her.

"Yes, yes..." she replied while nodding her head, "Thanks to this gentlemannn..." but her words had faded as she turned to face him again and realized he was no longer there.

Who was that man? How did he know her name?

Sarah sensed there was something familar about him and the fact that he knew her by name seemed to confirm her suspicions, their paths had crossed before...but where, and when?

"Thank you JC," the driver of the vehicle breathed, and following his line of vision Sarah once again saw her Savior. He turned and smiled at them, then continued on his way.

Part IV: Friend or Foe?

jo@ambassadorsforjesus5.com