One Bright Spot, One Possible Flicker

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. – I Corinthians 3:7

My last post, describing my 55th class reunion, might have been what the kids would call a “downer,” since the weekend as a whole was disappointing to me. I had anticipated that with the recent deaths of so many classmates, there would be more opportunities to share the gospel, more openness to spiritual (eternal) things. But what I encountered were, for the most part, people who not only were clueless about the hereafter, but who didn’t care. I found it baffling. And a bit depressing.

At the cocktail party on the last night of the weekend, I had a conversation with an old classmate that started with the topic of the fleeting nature of life. At that point she brought up the concept of reincarnation, not that she believed in it, but that she found it interesting. She said she wasn’t sure what she believed about an afterlife, and it seemed she might have been looking for some answers. Delighted that she wasn’t cutting off the discussion at the first mention of spiritual things, I began to share my faith and was able to tell her why I believe what I do.

I told her that I needed an anchor, something by which I could know the unchanging Truth. Since my emotions are woefully unreliable, and since the world’s opinions and fads are like shifting sands, my anchor is the Bible, since it doesn’t change. I told her that concerning death, according to the Bible, we only live once, we die, and then we face Judgment. I said the Bible explains that we are all fallen people (sinners) and that our sins separate us from a holy God. To get to God, we need forgiveness, but forgiveness requires making atonement. According to the Bible, atonement requires a sacrifice, and the sacrifice had to be perfect … which we are not.

“But God … “ But Jesus, the Son of God and the onpft Person who ever lived, became that atonement! He paid the penalty for our sins by dying on the cross – and He rose from the dead! So, if we believe in Him, our sins have been paid for, we are forgiven, and we can live with Him forever!

As I explained to her that this is my hope, even as I see this life passing by with lightning speed, her face was warm, receptive, and smiling. As we parted, she thanked me enthusiastically, saying that when one has something good, one should share it, and she recognized that I had something wonderful. I didn’t “lead her in the sinner’s prayer” on the spot, but I believe the seeds were planted, and God is perfectly able to cause them to take root and grow. I’m hoping and praying that if she and I are both still around for the next reunion, I’ll have a sister to fellowship with.

The only other lengthy spiritual conversation I was able to have had a much different tone, but then it was with a much different person. After the last party I spoke with another old friend. She said she was glad we got to talk, because for years she had sensed judgment and condemnation from me. I was stunned. I had no clue what she was talking about, but I apologized if she had gotten that impression. She said she wanted to invite me to her church, but by her description I could tell it didn’t preach the same gospel I know, so I was glad I could honestly tell her I had other plans. She went on to tell me repeatedly that she was a “good person,” listing her good works. I probably disappointed her when I told her that none of us is good, that’s why we need Jesus. I explained the gospel the way I had explained it to my other friend earlier that night, and she insisted that that’s what her church taught … but that she is also a good person. Throughout the conversation, she kept insisting that she was happy, but I have to wonder, if someone is happy, do they have to tell people they are? After I had that thought, oddly, she suddenly remarked that I seemed very happy and asked what had happened to me that made such a difference, to which I responded that it’s Jesus. It’s always been Jesus.

It didn’t seem that I changed her mind that night, and she certainly didn’t change I’mimwi Her final comments about my obvious joy give me hope.

As I wrote in my last post, I am beginning to realize more and more that it is really only God who can draw people to Himself. I can share the gospel with others in the best way I know how, I can love them and pray for them, but unless God opens their hearts, they remain lost. I don’t like it, but Truth doesn’t need me to like it to be Truth.

A couple of weeks after getting home I was still wrestling with the thought, If certain people are going to come to God, and if the others are literally unable to come, if it’s already been determined, why do I pray for them? And what’s the point in sharing my faith?

Then the Lord showed me something that, while not explaining it fully, gave me peace enough to just trust Him.

(to be continued …)