A Great Idea … And a Close Call

Have you ever had an opportunity pass you by? What about an opportunity that was a close call; perhaps you made the right decision, but almost made the wrong one? This happened to me tonight. I dashed in the grocery store to pick up some deodorant before going to McDonald’s for some chicken nuggets and fries for dinner. I was still deciding between Right Guard and Degree when a man dressed in somewhat lowly clothing walked up and asked me if I had enough on me to pay for his potato chips, cheese dip, and candy that he wanted to get. I told him what everyone else in that store probably told him: “Aww, sorry, I sure don’t” as if I’d brought in the exact amount of change I’d need, regardless of the fact that I still didn’t know which type of deodorant to get. He walked away, and my spirit drop-kicked me. “Liar.” I knew I had twenty dollars in my wallet. I grabbed the Degree and went searching for the man.

I found him two isles over, probably doing math in his head to figure out just what he could get on the two or three bucks he might have had to his name. I sheepishly admitted that I did, in fact, have enough to cover his things, and after that we made our way to the check-out lines. The lady told me the total: Fifteen dollars. “Phew! Still got enough for supper,” I silently thought to myself. I opened my wallet to retrieve the bill, but I noticed there were two notes in the bill pocket; the second, a five. Inside my heart I felt like I was supposed to give the five to this guy so he, too, could get some supper. As I gave it to him he looked at me as if I’d given him the world.

We walked out of the store together, saying our goodbyes. I casually said, “God bless you” with my goodbye. He immediately asked me which church I go to. I told him Harvest Family Church, and where it’s located. I then felt impressed to ask if he knew where he’d go if he died tonight. “Man, honestly, I don’t know,” was his response. I was so thrilled to pray with him to receive salvation … right there in front of a Winn-Dixie shopping center. It’s been too long since the last time I’ve led someone to Christ; we’re supposed to be talking to people about Jesus every day.

Daniel told me he would be at my church on Sunday. To think, I almost missed this opportunity. I’m really glad God stopped me and made me go back to find him. I was two seconds from missing out on this guy’s destiny. Who am I to decide whether he hears about Jesus or not? Casting Crowns has a song along these lines:

Lyrics from “If We Are The Body” by Casting Crowns
If we are the body
Why aren’t His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way?

We are the only Jesus this world will ever see; it’s up to us to introduce them to Him.

As I was in line with Daniel checking out, I had a great idea. What if I saved up a couple hundred dollars, dressed in my most tattered clothes while purposefully neglecting to bathe, drove to Wall-Mart and picked up something simple, like a bag of chips. Then I’d find a mother with kids, a buggy-full of stuff and a frantic look on her face, like: “Get me outa here!” I’d pose the same question to her that Daniel asked me: “Ma’am, do you have enough to cover these chips?” If she says “Yes,” great! I’d then go with her to the check-out line and—right when the clerk gives her the total—I whip out the two Benjamin’s and pay for all her groceries. I then tell her and all her children about Jesus and how much He loves them and wants to provide for them. Can you imagine the shocked look that would be on her face? I get goose-pimply just thinking about it! As soon as I can, I’m going to do this. I’ll keep you updated, and you keep me updated, too! I want to hear your stories about the lost!

Thank you for visiting with me today. I look forward to hearing from you. Have a great day, and come back to visit often!

~Jonathan

July 13th, 2005 · Back to Top · Tagged: Articles, Missions

Zeal

A story about my life as a missionary in Thailand.

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