You'll meet one someday.

A person filled with the Holy Spirit. Someone full of the love and passion of Jesus Christ, who will unexpectedly do something nice for you. As you momentarily flicker out of your obsessively busy day and into the small space that contains only the two of you, you'll smile and mutter "Thanks," somewhat surprised, but politely dismissing and seeking to lift off again. But as your glance touches theirs, it sticks, and you're knocked a little off balance... this person's eyes can see into your soul, and want nothing more than to help you conquer your innermost fears, addictions and vices. A person who would walk a mile for you in that moment. Two miles. If you try to walk away, they'll speak, "Is there something... anything else I can do for you?"

Stumbling, because they're hoping you'll talk, and reveal what your deepest need is. Of course you probably won't, but if you did... you would be shocked at their immediate response and willingness to bear your burdens. What sort of person is this? Who walks around hoping that they can find out and help with the deepest needs of complete strangers?

Christians. Real ones. Filled with the Spirit of Christ, and walking around filled with love, grace and forgiveness, and a servant's heart. Why? Not for personal gain. Not seeking "rewards" although if anyone on earth was worthy of a reward, it would seem such a person would be. But they don't seek to share your burdens for reward, they do it because they have a deep sense of humility, bearing the marks of contact with a just-but-forgiving Creator.

When this happens, stop. Take a deep breath. Relax, say hello, and tell the truth about what you're feeling and thinking. God has these people out there for YOU. Don't dismiss them because you're cynical. Don't produce your favorite intellectual objection to Christianity. You could say something like, "If God is so good, and so powerful, why are there people starving in Africa?" They might respond, "I don't know, but I can tell you this... I was lost and broken and hopeless, and now I'm found and functional and full of joy." You can't win. To them, its all ridiculously simple, and to you its all insanely complicated. So just talk on a personal level. Tell them about your washing machine that's broken, or how you've been sad lately, or about the job decision you're stressing over, and receive what they have to give. An ear, a hand, something to loan, something to keep. Whatever you need.

Christ is real, and alive, and you're not going to speculate him into or out of existence. He lives where he lives, and you live where you live. He has his ambassadors actively working and serving all over the place. You'll know them when you meet them. When you do meet one, don't let arrogance or someone's jaded blog entry shape your opinion of them. Open up, talk, spend a few minutes, and then consider the effect that a person like that has on the world. Then imagine more of them, in every province and nation, doing the little chores that make life easier. Saying the encouraging words that help people make it through their day. Honoring the name of Jesus Christ, and slowly turning the world on its ear through compassion and caring. Ignore the counterfeits. You'll recognize those by greed and ambition. The real followers of Christ are out there. You'll meet one someday.

You don't meet these people by accident.