If you’ve never experienced it, you need to put yourself in a position to. 

A few weeks ago, I was back in Tulsa, Oklahoma, the old stomping grounds.  I had the great privelage of going back out on the streets to preach with the man that taught me how to proclaim the Kingdom to the world, John Robb.  After a short reunion, we got to work.

I have encounters like this often, but for some reason, this one really struck me.  Jesus really pierced my heart.  While we were out preaching at the QT on 11th & Utica, I had just taken a break and John started to preach.  As he was preaching I would walk up and down the sidewalk holding my bible in the air. 

While standing on the corner of the intersection, I see a young man walking our way.  Usually people like to take the “long way around” when they see us preaching.  But this guy walked right up to the sidewalk. 

I say, “Hey man, how’s it going…do you know Jesus?” 

“Yeah.” He says smiling a little.  He’s dirty, looks tired, run down and he’s wearing a big winter coat (it was 70 degrees).

“What’s your name?”

“Stephen.”

So I begin to talk to him and ask him about his life.  Turns out the kid (he’s 22) is homeless and he’s been walking the streets of Tulsa for the past 2 weeks.  He said he hasn’t changed his clothes in 5 days and hasn’t taken a shower.  All the while his eyes and smile were so sincere.

Apparently he had a job roofing but ruined his knee in the process and couldn’t get any work.  He didn’t have an ID whatsoever and he didn’t have anywhere to go.  He said he was headed towards the highway so he could try to hitch a ride to Missouri.

He asked me if I had any money.  I said I didn’t but what I did have was what he needed.  That was Jesus and the Kingdom.  I showed him how if he would turn his heart toward God that He would give Him everything he needed.  I also told him his answers weren’t in what the world had to offer, such as cars, houses, money, etc.

But all the while, I’m talking to a 22 year old kid that’s homeless.  Honestly, what can I tell him that will make it all ok?  I felt so helpless.  I wanted to give him more than just empty words.  I had nothing to offer him except Jesus and the promises He has given. 

After a short conversation I asked if I could pray for his leg to be healed because he was saying how he had to walk all day and it’s really been hurting his injured knee.  I knelt down and touched his knee and told the knee to get healed and right and asked the Holy Spirit to invade this mans life.

Stephen walked away, limping off.  I remained on the corner a few minutes and then I saw Stephen walking off into the distance, limping.  It then hit me.

Stephen doesn’t need me sitting around watching T.V.  He doesn’t need me preoccupied with what the world is doing around me.  Stephen needs me in the closet, praying and entering into the presence of God so that I can then take it and give it to him.  Stephen needed more than a good word or promise from God.  He needed the demonstration of God, and he needed it now.  And I couldn’t deliver (at least from what I could see).

Before you get all upset….remember, who’s fault was it that the demonized boy didn’t get healed?  It wasn’t Jesus’ fault.  He proved that it was His will to heal the boy.  The disciples couldn’t do it.  They failed, not Jesus.

I look around and there is a world full of “Stephens”.  People who need the very presence of God to invade their lives.  Not some promise or presumptuous choice word, they need the demonstration of the Kingdom.  And, for some reason, it’s not flowing through me the way it should be. 

What Stephen needs is me to constantly be in the presence of the almighty King and Lord so that when he walks by and has a need I can say:

Acts 3:6  But Peter said, "I don’t have any money for you. But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!"

Something is wrong church, and I’m part of the problem too.  The world doesn’t need us building our own Kingdoms.  They don’t need our money, our food, or our clothing (though, we should still give those things!), they need the authority of Jesus to invade their life and circumstances, now!

Meeting Stephen has changed my life, and I hope the next time I meet a “Stephen”, it’ll be different.