Give Your Coat Away

The other day on my way back from Milwaukee, I encountered interesting experiences with those on the plane.



The first was with a scientist. It seemed like she wanted to start a conversation with me sometime during the plane flight. However, I was consumed with the book I was reading at that moment entitled, How to Cast Out Demons . I am almost positive that in the corner of my eye, I saw her lean forward to look at the title of the book, made a face, and resumed her normal position. I felt a small blow to my faith at that moment, kind of almost embarrassed that I was publicly reading about such a topic. Yet, a smile crept across my face as I realized that nothing was wrong with what I was reading about. What can people do to me? I am simply equipping myself with the knowledge necessary to perform my job well...right? :) Hey, I don't say anything to those who are reading vampire romance novels. If they have the freedom to do that, why can't I do my own thing?



Second, I had the opportunity to demonstrate Christ's love but failed. My next plane was unusually cold--the staff said something was wrong with the air conditioning system and it was difficult for them to do anything about it. Well, there came a point where it was FREEZING and I grabbed my sweater (always be prepared just in case!). It was then that I noticed the man next to me. He was an African-American in what seemed like his late twenties to early thirties. He broke out into goosebumps and quickly pulled his arms underneath the shelter of his thin red t-shirt. Suddenly, I heard, "Give your coat to him." I thought "...What? You must be joking!" Then I heard it again. "Give your coat to him. How many layers do you have on?" "Three," I answered. I wore a thin tank underneath a white polo tee with the blue knit sweater on top. "How many does he have?" I glanced at the man and reluctantly answered, "One...but God, I don't think you know how cold it is! I get so cold so easily...I mean, it's his fault that he didn't bring a coat of his own!" A few moments passed by, and as it got warmer, I took off my coat and then offered it to the man. He said, "No, it's okay. It's warmer now. I'll be fine." Then I heard God say, Now you offer him the coat? Ouch! That hurt but I needed to hear it. What if that was an angel in disguise? Or what if it was Jesus himself?

Luke 3:11
And he would answer and say to them, "The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none

Matthew 25:45
"Then He will answer them, 'Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me.'