I remember one day a long time ago (in the early 1990s) I was taking a twelve-hour bus ride home from Louisiana, where I was stationed at the time.  I was reading my Bible when a gentleman sat down next to me.  He asked me about what I was reading, and I explained to him that it was my Bible and that I had recently given my life to the Lord and was finding all kinds of great scriptures for my life, just by reading daily. He asked me what being saved was all about (what did he do that for?!?).

I came to life! I took him from Genesis to Revelation, explaining that Adam sinned but Jesus obeyed. I explained how the wages of sin is death, and the gift of God is eternal life. I explained how one could receive salvation, took him down ‘the Romans road’ and then I invited him to accept Jesus into his heart. He said ‘no thanks’. I then pressed a little more. He never did, but just kept asking me all kinds of “why this, or why that” questions – questions that I was answering as best I could.

I finally cut him off and said something to the effect of “listen friend, I’ve explained to you as much as I can. I’ve only been saved about a month. But let me be clear: If you die tonight, you cannot say to God that you never had the opportunity to receive His salvation”. I then said to him, “On this day [gave him the date], at this time [gave him the time], I [gave him my name] offered Christ to you. But you rejected him”. I politely ended the conversation with him and moved to another seat. I was pretty upset by then because in my mind I had failed in the Great Commission department with this person. But oh how wrong I was!

About a half hour later (twelve-hour bus ride remember?), the same gentleman sat down next to me again. He apologized to me for the brief deception. He told me who he was: the Pastor of a large congregation in Southern Louisiana!  LOLOLOL, this guy DID NOT look like a pastor. I promise you this: He didn’t look like a teacher, doctor, butcher, baker, candlestick maker. He looked like a vagabond!  But looks can be deceiving…

That day, this prominent pastor commended me for following exactly what Christ commissioned us to do. He began giving me some advice on life and ministry. I’m sure he knew then that I too would someday become a minister of the Gospel. He shared with me his philosophy for being a Christian, and then his bus stop came. We said our goodbyes and he gave me his information. I lost the piece of paper with his information on it, but I will remember the experience for a lifetime.

In your quest to come to your place of “there” (wherever ‘there’ is for you), remember to be kind to all, because you never know who they might be. You see, if I were a betting man I’d be willing to bet that you don’t look like a [insert your special calling], but you are. You don’t look like a [what God has for you right around the corner], but to God you already are. There is so much that you already are, and even the angels and demons recognize it, but you don’t even know it! Is this too deep for you?

But as it is written:

“ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9 NKJV)

Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment.” (John 7:24 ESV)

God bless you!

 

Author, speaker, musician DEREK E. EURALES, Jr., loves to share his faith, motivation, and music. His book, Principles of Christian Living, has become a “must read” for believers of all ages. To order your copy, click here.