By RaeLynn DeAngelis
Perhaps you’ve heard the age-old question: Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Before I started studying my Bible regularly, I was easily tripped-up by such quandaries. But as I grow in my faith, I am better equipped to answer some of life’s complexities… or at least I know where to go to find the answers—God’s Word.
Recently, my husband and I were visiting the oldest city in the United States (St. Augustine). We were with our daughter and son-in-law who were in town for a visit.
At one point, I decided to sit down on a nearby bench while our daughter browsed a nearby candle store. The short pause in the day allowed me time to rest my feet.
After I took my seat, I looked up and noticed a gentleman. He was sitting directly across from me, eating his lunch. He looked to be in his early forties. There was something about his appearance and the way he carried himself that made me wonder if he was homeless.
“Hello,” I said. “How are you?”
He smiled and returned the greeting, “Hello.” Then he added, “I’m mystified!”
I was expecting the usual “I’m fine” answer. Now I was curious. So I prodded him for further explanation. “Why are you mystified?”
“Oh… Just this world we are living in right now,” he sighed.
I nodded my head in agreement and understanding. “Yes, but today is a beautiful day. I’m grateful for that.”
“I can’t argue with you there,” he said. “Today is a very beautiful day.”
After these initial pleasantries, the man surprised me when he followed up with a question I’d never considered before, “Which do you think came first,” he said, “pain or pleasure?”
Let me just say, if my husband had been close enough to hear the conversation, there’s a good chance he would have grabbed my hand and escorted me away. Gerry’s protective and I admire that about him. But I honestly didn’t feel the least bit threatened by this man or our conversation. In fact, something in my spirit told me he was simply lonely, seeking conversation.
Although I didn’t feel threatened, his question caught me off-guard. I thought for a moment and finally answered, “That’s a great question. Hmmm…,” I paused a moment longer, “I actually think pleasure came first.”
He smiled with raised eyebrows, seemingly delighted that I was still engaging with him. He took this as his cue to keep going and questioned me again, “Why do you think pleasure came first?”
“Well,” I said. “I believe the Bible is true and that God created this world and everything in it. I also believe that when God created this world and everything in it, it was good. The earth was perfect. I believe pain came after Adam and Eve sinned and the world was no longer perfect.”
A look of gratitude appeared across his face. Perhaps because I had not only answered his question, but also provided insight concerning my answer.
God’s Word says we should always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks, doing it with gentleness and respect (1 Peter 3:15).
I’m not usually in the habit of talking to complete strangers, especially men. But on this day, I stepped out of my comfort zone. Instead of letting fear have its way in my spirit, I saw this man as a child of God. The only thing I felt was a sense of peace. I really think the man just needed human connection. I’m thankful God used me to provide it.
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
Perhaps my encounter with the man in St. Augustine was a test, a way to help grow me spiritually. There’s even a part of me that wonders it it was a divine encounter. After all, Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it.”
I don’t know if this man was an angel in disguise, or if he was even homeless, but I do know this. God used this experience to show me what is most important in life—treating His sons and daughters with love and respect.
“Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments” (Matthew 22:37-40).
Oh, and in case you are wondering. The chicken came first according to Genesis chapter one.
And when it comes to interacting with others, out of love and respect, they should come first too.
Looking for a way to connect with God daily? Check out our daily devotional books: Living in Truth Day by Day *** Living in Truth Mind, Body, Spirit *** Living in Truth: A Christmas Devotional
