Yesterday I spent 15 floors in a slow elevator with no AC. It was small, hot, and crowded. I was not loving the ride.

Two men got on. It could have been a father and son. The son had an intellectual disability of some sort, and because there was another woman in the elevator, we were all packed in together.

Then the woman gets off on her floor. At which point the father moves to fill the space. The son does not. He is right up on me.

I’m not saying anything, but I am annoyed. I’m annoyed at the son, for being on top of me. I’m annoyed at the dad, for not looking out for spacing. I'm annoyed at the building, for its slow, hot elevator.

When we reach their floor, the young man punches me on the shoulder.

This catches me off guard, and I'm in full City Armor mode. So now I’m like, “What’s up?” Not mad. Just expecting an answer.

And he holds out his hand…for a fistbump.

I say “ok”, fistbump him, and watch them go, thoroughly convicted at the state of my soul.

It was a great test of emotional health. Generosity in times of abundance is easy. Generosity In times of limitation is harder.

Can I still be Jesus when I am hot, tired, and uncomfortable?

Can I be the same person under pressure that I am under the lights and camera?

Can I stay cool long enough that I can see through God's eyes, instead of misjudging with my agitated flesh?

Or is this where I give my consecration the day off?

Oh, to be as loving as this random, beautiful kid on an elevator.

Some of the best lessons come before we reach the ground.