I would like to tell you a story. It’s about two men, a savior, and a parking lot. This story is about fear, courage, and submission. It’s about spiritual warfare. It’s about fitting one’s feet with the shoes of the gospel of peace, throwing the belt of truth around one’s waist, firmly fastening the breastplate of righteousness and the helmet of salvation to one’s body, raising the shield of faith to deflect the arrows of Satan, and finally counter-attacking with the sword of the spirit which is the word of God. This story is about doing all of the above and then marching boldly behind the power of God to hurl our attack straight into the jaws of the enemy, who “prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” Do you consider yourself too old or too sophisticated for stories? I earnestly hope not. Let me begin.
As I walked outside through the door of a local restaurant this afternoon, I held it open for the man behind me. As we proceeded together into the parking lot, he said “It sure is warmer here than where I live.” Immediately my natural inclination flared to life in my brain. You see, I am not at all a social person. I have learned to overcome this in some situations, such as at church or at work. But still, my default mode of operation is to be silent and withdrawn. So when this man made his statement my immediate disposition was to make some sort of friendly but terse response and then head to my car to leave. But something stopped me. I sensed this was an opportunity for conversation. And although conversations with strangers are one of my least favorite activities, my Lord and savior Jesus Christ, has commanded me to make disciples. I cannot make a disciple without witnessing to someone about Jesus through conversation, because the word of God says “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” So I swallowed my initial response and began to engage this man in conversation.
I learned that he was from Rainelle. He is an older man, 61, and complained of problems with his shoulders. He shared with me that he takes care of his elderly mother, who has some level of mental deterioration and cannot care for herself. We commiserated together about how our bodies break down all too quickly and when we were younger we did not appreciate this fact.
At two points in the conversation I attempted to drop “bait” in the “water” by mentioning the bible and the name of Jesus. My bait went unnoticed. He gave no response whatsoever. So I thought to myself “He’s either ignoring me on purpose or it went over his head.” I could see the potential for my opportunity to slip away, as it has done so many other times due to my own lack of courage. I could feel the tugging of my flesh urging me to let it go and get on with my day. But how can I call myself a Christian, which literally means “little Christ”, if I don’t act like Christ? And do we ever see Jesus shrinking from an opportunity to preach repentance and the coming of the kingdom of God to those He encountered? I think not! So with these thoughts flying through my brain at about Mach 5, and desperate to not once again fail my Lord as I have done so many times before, I decided to throw my ridiculous caution to the wind and go for broke. After all, I reasoned, I will most likely never see this man again so what have I got to lose and why in the world am I hesitating? So I plunged in and asked him if I could pray for him. He said yes, the next time I prayed I could pray for him and his mom. I told him I prayed every day and then I asked him if he had a relationship with Jesus Christ.
This simple and direct question, only eight words, opened the floodgates. He began to talk about what I recognized as a very cultural perception of being right with God by doing good deeds and being moral. He spoke about how he worries too much and becomes frantic in trying to care for his mother. I was able to assure him that, although Jesus never promised that we would have easy lives, he did promise that we would experience peace through knowing Him. And more importantly, I warned this man that unless he and his mother do have a relationship with Christ, they are under the wrath of God because of their sin. I asked him if he had a bible in his home. When he responded in the affirmative, I encouraged him to read the gospel of John. He asked me to have my pastor pray for him. I assured him that I would do more than that; I would have my entire church pray for him and I would be praying for him daily. He allowed me to pray with him right there in the parking lot and accepted my telephone number which I encouraged him to use.
So my friends, I have three instructions for you, if you are willing to receive them.
1. Don’t you dare think positive thoughts about me. This was not about me, it was about Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit at work in me. As I described, something as simple as having a 10 minute conversation is a major hurdle for me to overcome. But truly “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
2. Please know that if you struggle to share your faith you are not alone. We are all in this together and many of us share the same or similar struggles. But through the process of being sanctified by obedience (please don’t miss that underscore; although God granted the increase Paul and Apollos were still held responsible for planting and watering) you can experience the joy that comes from being a dutiful child of your heavenly Father and you can know that “the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
3. Please pray for Wayne Ayres, the man I met today. His mother’s name is Laurie. Pray that he will take my advice to read the gospel of John. Pray that he will call me. Above all pray that he will come to know the Lord. Wayne desperately needs to be justified before God through the righteousness of Christ, as do all those who do not have a saving relationship with Jesus.
Let us together become a mighty army before the Lord. You can do this! I would be delighted to speak with anyone who needs encouragement, a spare shoulder to cry on, or a ready foot to kick you in the backside when necessary! Peace and grace to you through God the father and our Lord Jesus Christ.
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