I’ve been listening to The God Journey and taking notes. The other day I listened to a podcast in my car on the way to Costco and back (we live 15 minutes away now — pretty close by Tokyo standards). Anyway, I listened to a podcast entitled “What One Little Prayer Can Do.” I won’t describe every detail, because you can listen to it yourself. What struck me is the simplicity of the story. A man meets Jesus over lunch (someone talked with him, and he responded). He returns to work wondering what to do next. A group of men encourage him to build a relationship with someone that he can grow with and pray for at least one thing that’s way to big to do on his own. So he decides to pray for Africa. He knows nothing about the continent, but it’s big, needy, and way over his head.

Years later this man has been to Africa dozens of times, facilitated reconciliation between leaders of nations (and opposition parties and rebels), and help funnel millions and millions of dollars to support and empower people in great need.

I said the story is simple. What amazes me is he literally seemed to follow his nose each step of the way. Only it wasn’t his nose; people connections kept springing up and he acted. His story doesn’t appear supernatural on the surface. In fact, it’s a very natural story about feeding the poor and using common sense to be a peacemaker. But as it unfolds you can’t help but acknowledge God with a sense of wonder.

Personally, it makes me want to put down my agendas. All my life I’ve been developing habits and patterns that are as natural as thinking or breathing. Make something happen… Do something significant… Take control… All my ways and patterns lead to vanity, despair, pride…yet God’s way is love and hope. Hearing this podcast makes me want to call up a friend (I’ve got a person or two in mind) and ask him if he’d be interested in praying (and acting as God leads) for some need way over both of our heads.

I want to see God’s love revealed in this world, and I’ve got a feeling this is how it starts — in a very simple way.