What do you do when God tells you to talk to someone? Or give them a helping hand? Or buy their groceries? You know what I mean, that little nudge you feel when you see the woman working the checkout line who looks like she’s about to cry, or the man in the store who seems overwhelmed with corralling three little children, or the woman who is carefully adding up the cost of her groceries to make sure she has enough money. Or something like that. The instructions vary, and are unique to the situation. But if you’re a Christian, I’m sure you’ve felt “the nudge.” What do you do with “the nudge”?

I’d like to say that I’m always obedient to God’s nudges, but the truth is, I’m not. Oh, I have plenty of excuses. The checkout line is too long for me to talk to the clerk, it might insult the man with the kids to offer assistance, the woman might be embarrassed if I call attention to her lack of money. Umm-hmm. Excuses. God told me specifically to do something – I felt the nudge – yet I did nothing. Sometimes, I even leave the area so I don’t have to see the person. I go in the opposite direction.

Just like a modern day Jonah.

Jonah got a second chance to preach to Nineveh. And God gives us second chances, too. I’m learning to anticipate the nudge. What about you?