God Encounters

By Sandra Jean Charite

I found myself nestled in the back of the bus, the rhythmic pulse of music filling my ears as I journeyed home from school. I was immersed in the profound sounds of Nirvana's latest album, their powerful melodies echoing my inner turmoil. Earlier that same morning, I had arrived at Miami-Dade College, brimming with anticipation, only to be met with the disappointing news that classes had been canceled for the day. An email or phone call would have spared me the hour-long wait for the bus, but now I sat there, frustration simmering just beneath the surface.

Two seats ahead of me, an elderly woman clutched a worn Bible, her gnarled hands trembling slightly. Despite the bus being nearly empty, she cast frequent glances over her shoulder at me, her curiosity apparent. Draped in a cloak of black—my attire matched my detached demeanor—I longed for solitude. I simply wanted to ride in peace, lost in my thoughts and the music that served as my shield against the outside world. To my annoyance, the bus jolted to a stop, and the old lady shuffled down the aisle, settling in the seat beside me.

My heart sank, feeling as though my personal bubble had been invaded. I turned my gaze firmly to the front, determined to avoid any form of interaction. But then, she gently tapped my shoulder, breaking through my self-imposed barrier. Reluctantly, I pulled my headphones from my ears, reducing the volume until the music faded into a mere whisper.

“Hello, beautiful. Do you know who you are?” she asked, her voice warm yet inquisitive. Bewildered by her question and desperate to maintain my peace, I offered no response.

Unbeknownst to me, fate had orchestrated this encounter—God had a plan that day, one destined to nudge me back into the light. At just 18 and navigating my freshman year of college, I believed I had the world figured out. Although I had spent my childhood nestled in the comfort of church, I had turned my back on faith in recent years, convinced that I was self-sufficient and that God had little use for me. Little did I know, the shadows of my choices were closing in. My life had become a tapestry of dark, brooding poetry, gothic fashion, and the heavy metal riffs that mirrored my pessimistic outlook. The weight of my experiences had worn down my belief in a higher power, fostering a sense of indifference toward the world around me.

The old lady fished a peppermint from her purse, her gestures embodying kindness, and offered it to me. I shook my head, feeling a strange mix of annoyance and recognition at her persistent warmth. Undeterred, she inquired about my choice of all-black attire, noting how my stoic expression might seem unapproachable. “You should wear brighter colors,” she suggested, her voice imbued with sincerity, “to mirror the beauty that resides within you.”

Just as the sunlight breaks through dark clouds, she reminded me of God’s enduring love, proclaiming that I was beautiful regardless of my battles. With every word, she spoke of a future painted with promise, urging me to trust in a guiding force that could lead me to brighter days ahead. In that moment, I felt an unexpected flicker of hope igniting within me, a sign that perhaps—just perhaps—my journey wasn’t destined to remain in darkness after all.

Those words sunk deep into my heart, resonating with an undeniable weight. A single tear rolled down my cheek, and I quickly turned away, desperate to shield my vulnerability from her gaze. As she prepared to leave for her stop, she gently patted me on the shoulder and offered a kind, reassuring smile. “No matter what happens, God loves you,” she said, her voice warm and unwavering.

Before I could grasp the significance of her words, the bus came to an abrupt halt. The driver, his expression grave, announced that he had to suspend the routes immediately. Confusion washed over the other passengers as we exchanged bewildered looks, struggling to comprehend the sudden turn of events. We were left with no choice but to exit the bus and seek alternative means of transportation.

Heart racing, I leaped from my seat, scanning the crowded street for the old lady who had just offered me solace. But as I rushed off the bus, my eyes darted in every direction, searching for her familiar figure—only to find she had vanished into the throng of people, leaving me with unanswered questions and a profound longing for her comforting presence.

On the morning of September 11, 2001, terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger planes in the United States. Two of these planes were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, resulting in the collapse of both towers. A third plane crashed into the Pentagon, located just outside Washington, D.C. The fourth plane went down in rural Pennsylvania after the crew and passengers fought back against the terrorists on board, preventing it from reaching its intended target, which was believed to be the White House. This tragic day resulted in the loss of thousands of lives. As a consequence of the attacks, public transportation throughout the country was suspended for the remainder of the day.

That old lady was my "God encounter." Unaware of the events unfolding around me, God used her as a vessel to remind me of His omnipresent love. Everyone encounters God differently because we are all uniquely made. You might feel His peace, joy, love, or strength—these are all wonderful experiences! God passionately pursues us because He desires to build a relationship with us and transform our love to mirror His.

Following my encounter with the old lady, I learned about my mom's diagnosis of breast cancer months later, lost my grandma, and endured a terrible breakup that ultimately led me back to the feet of Jesus. I want you to understand that experiencing an encounter with God is biblical. One story in the Bible that holds dear to my heart is found in John 4. Jesus takes a detour to the town of Sychar in Samaria to rest by Jacob’s well while the disciples go to get food. As He rests, a Samaritan woman comes to draw water from the well, and He asks her for a drink. She is surprised by His request, as Jews typically did not associate with Samaritans. Jesus tells her that if she knew who He was, she would have asked Him for a drink.

He understands the Samaritan woman and her circumstances. Jesus promises living water that gives eternal life and invites her to bring her household, especially her husband, to receive the goodness He offers. This leads the conversation to her personal history and current marital situation. She honestly replies, “I have no husband” (4:17). Jesus affirms her honesty and indicates that He knows her more fully than she realizes. Without judgment, He shares her past, causing her to recognize that He is a prophet who speaks the truth. Mentioning the future raises her hopes for the coming Messiah, and despite her past, Jesus sees her need for salvation. Ultimately, she runs into town to tell the people about Him. What an encounter!

You see, God is not limited to church meetings or buildings. You can encounter Him wherever He chooses to meet you! God has been calling us for a long time and is eager to reveal Himself in an intimate way. We don’t know the day or the hour of His return, but He uses His vessels to speak to us.

Remember, having an encounter with God involves your own will and choice! There will be fruit from this encounter, but it doesn’t end with just one experience. If you want your life to be changed by God's presence, you must allow Him to work in your life on a continual basis. God loves you and desires to commune with you.