The Matrix

Hopefully, you’ve seen The Matrix, arguably the best film of 1999. (Please don’t see the two sequels; they were raunchy and horrible movies to boot.) There was much in that movie that spoke of God’s Kingdom. (No, it wasn’t a Christian movie but, since God created this world of ours, it’s decidedly difficult for anyone to avoid revealing Him.) There were some really cool parts where the “operator” - a person who could see the whole of reality at once – would speak to Neo or Trinity or one of the others who had descended into the cares and trials of the everyday world of the Matrix. The operator would tell them when and where exactly to move to accomplish some task. They would wait, wait, and then, Now! Move to your right! By listening to the operator who could see the big picture, Neo and Trinity would avoid problems they couldn’t see but which were lurking right around the corner.

A couple of months ago I had the same experience. I had gone to the local Subway and for the second time in a row had been served by a very nice girl in her twenties. As I usually do when out in public, I had chatted with her briefly as she took my order and made my sandwich. Through an insight that God gave me, I was aware that, while she was clearly gifted by God in a number of ways, she had already experienced too much hurt and confusion in her young life. On this, my second trip, as I ate my sandwich, God gave me a word of encouragement for this girl. I took out an index card that I happened to have and wrote what God had told me. It was only a couple of sentences but I sensed it was what this girl needed to hear.

But how to get it to her? The sandwich shop was crowded, she was busy and I didn’t want to just leave it on the counter without a word of explanation and an assurance that she had gotten it. The line had at least six people on it and there was only one other employee behind the counter. To me, it looked hopeless. Since God had definitely given me this to give to her, I figured I was going to just have to give it to her and hope for the best.

But God said to wait. Wait. Keep waiting. OK, now!

I got up, turned around and somehow, miraculously, there she was at the cash register looking up, not doing anything for a moment, no one near her or seeking her attention. It was as if the crowd had parted just for this moment. I walked over, handed her the card and told her I thought she could use this when things seemed down. Her face lit up, she thanked me and I took my leave.

It was the most incredible experience. The God of the Universe, the God who sees everything, had not only known the exact time that I would be able to make the drop, He also told me.

I fully expect that this girl – I don’t even know her name and have not seen her since – was incredibly blessed by what God wanted to say to her. I know I was incredibly blessed to be part of His work that day. Very, very cool.