Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. I Pet. 3:15
Have you ever had someone share their faith with you when you least expected it? Or maybe the source of the testimony was very unlikely because it wasn’t someone who “fits the mold” so to speak? Of course it is pretty crazy to think that there is a mold…we tend to just think all Jesus followers are or should be like ourselves. So when we come across one that isn’t, it may come as a shock. However, when that happens it also sticks with you a long time. I wrote the following song a couple of weeks ago and it tells the story of two gentlemen who have completely different circumstances yet the exact same testimony and hope to share. One is an old man dying of cancer. The other is an immigrant.
Met an old man along a dusty road one day; he cracked a joke, but his eyes were glistening
When he cried, I wasn’t sure what I should say; so I stood there listening
“Got the cancer all through my bones; my mind is weak and the blood runs cold
I can’t sleep and the pain drives me insane…
My wife’s been gone for fifteen years, and I have cried a million tears
But I’m here to let you know, I’m at peace, and I’m ready to go (because)
There isn’t much in this world I know, but I can tell you one thing for sure;
This is true so listen carefully…
Only Jesus can save your soul, He’s the only one who can make you whole
He will walk with you and set you free…if you believe”
They hired a new man at work one afternoon; I welcomed him and asked if he was well
His clothes were old and his shoes were worn right through; It was clear he had a story to tell
“Please forgive my simple talk; I traveled here from a land far off
In my country I’m respected and esteemed…
There came a time when I had to leave; What man can watch his children suffering?
But I’m here to let you know, it was God who helped me go (so I could tell you)
There isn’t much in this world I know, but I can tell you one thing for sure;
This is true so listen carefully…
Only Jesus can save your soul, He’s the only one who can make you whole
He will walk with you and set you free…if you believe”
I find encounters like that to be very convicting. I think, “After all God has blessed me with by way of faith, health, family, freedom, and finances, I should be the one sharing my faith, but it is this person who has truly suffered who has the courage to speak up!” I hope as we delve deeper into Experiencing God this Fall, we will all have stories to tell, and may we be bold enough to share them in places and at times that don’t make sense. Have your story ready to go when the time comes, and maybe each one of us can be an unlikely source to someone else along the way.
Cory Grimm