A Hardened Heart
Some time back I was on a ministry trip doing meetings in various places. During the trip I was introduced to a man a little older than myself. He was stocky, a bit rough on the exterior, very quiet, and with an impenetrable wall around himself.
He was a hardened veteran of war with scars, mostly emotional, which gave testimony to his sense of duty and courage. He never spoke of any past experiences and was vague when I asked.
He was a relative of my driver, so he and I spent several days in the back seat of an SUV together. Though I tried to have conversations with him, most were me doing the conversing. I saw, however, that he was watching me closely. At first, I wasn’t sure if it was due to his mistrust of people and guarded way or if he was trying to determine if I was genuine.
The group I was with traveled together and ate together, so my new acquaintance and I were together quite a lot. But we never developed much in the way of conversation. I could tell by his facial responses and body language he did not believe, nor care for, things I would share about the Lord in the beginning of our trip. That only added fuel to the fire for me, though.
Every day and night I asked God to use me to reach his hardened and closed heart with the message of Jesus. Though I was there to conduct meetings and make decisions regarding works of God there, he secretly became a target of my prayers.
“He’s Looking For You”
As the end of my trip was approaching, I began questioning whether I was doing enough to reach him. I desperately wanted a time when he and I could have a private moment so I could talk to him about his eternal soul. I knew if I tried with others around, he would shut me down. But try as I may, we never had time alone.
As I was checking out of the hotel, my heart was divided—I was thrilled that I would soon be back home with Denice, but another part was not wanting to leave without an opportunity to speak to my new friend.
Just as I was finishing up with the hotel clerk, one of the bellmen tapped me on the shoulder and said, “He’s looking for you.” I knew immediately who he was speaking of. “Where is he?” I asked. He told me where to find him, so I went quickly to where he was.
As I stepped into the room where he was seated, I felt the presence of God. I knew then God had set this up. All I needed to do was tell my friend about Jesus and give him an opportunity to respond.
He was seated in a chair, so I pulled one up directly across from him. I looked him in the eyes and said, “I am here to tell you about Jesus so you can be saved.” In a soft voice he responded, “I know.”
He sat quietly listening intently as I shared the gospel with him. It felt as if Jesus wrapped His arms around us both in that moment. Heaven bent to kiss earth once again. When I finished sharing the gospel, I asked if he wanted to surrender his heart to Jesus. “Oh yes,” he responded.
We joined hands and I led him in a simple prayer. As we prayed, tears from both our faces dropped onto our joined hands.
Born Anew
I was there as my friend met Jesus. How beautiful, oh, how beautiful. And how amazing it still is to me—the death of the old and the birth of the new. The closest thing to it has to be the births of my children, as I stood watching them come into this life. God allowed me to be present as this hardened veteran of war encountered Jesus and was born anew.
God is not willing that anyone perish—no matter who they are or what they have done. His Son hanging on a cruel cross, dying, declares how much God loves us and to what lengths He is willing to go that all might be saved.
You and I are His vessels to tell others the wonderful message of Jesus. I am convinced God sets up encounters and circumstances in our lives that we may share Jesus with someone in need. He definitely did in the story I just shared. I cannot express to you what I felt when that bellman said, “He’s Looking For You.” My heart leapt within me.
As I write this I am reminded of the time when Jesus Himself sensed He must go to Samaria because one woman, rejected by society and bound by sin, needed to meet Him and drink of the water of life He offers to all who are thirsty.
My new friend was thirsty, though he never let on to anyone that he was. But God knew it and drew him to ride in the back seat of an SUV with a preacher so he could drink of the water of life Jesus gives.
My dear friend, I am also confident of this—someone is looking for you…someone God has drawn to ride in the back seat with you so they can hear about Jesus. Perhaps it is a co-worker, a neighbor, or a fellow student. God has caused their journey and yours to intersect. Do not let fear or timidity stop you from offering a drink from the Fountain of Life, Jesus Christ. The simple gospel message of Jesus is wonderful news to all desiring to find hope and peace. Do not be fooled by their mask—everyone needs God.
God sent me on that ministry trip for different reasons…one was my new friend. I sat with him as he came into eternal life. He and I will probably never see each other again during our journey here on earth. But we will see each other again when we both get home. Until then I will keep looking to see who God places on a back seat with me next time.
Who has He placed with you?