I was driving by a church when I saw a man standing in a parking lot. He was well dressed and was wearing sunglasses with a gold trim. His clean white hair led me to believe that he was wise in his years. As I rolled down my window to create a conversation, I believed that I was about to fellowship with perhaps an elder from this local church.
Me: Excuse me, sir. Do you go to this church?
Jimmy: No, I'm here for the medical care (there was a free medical center located in the main lobby of the church).
Me: Do you have a church?
Jimmy: Yes, I go to …
Me: When was the last time you attended?
Jimmy: (Without eye contact) Many years ago.
Me: It's been a long time. What is going to happen to you when you die?
Jimmy: I hope heaven.
Me: I was studying the book of John earlier today. The apostle John says, "These things are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name."
I proceeded to show Jimmy his need for Jesus by walking him through the Ten Commandments. Suddenly, the man that looked very confident and well groomed began to paint a different picture. He had recently been discharged from the hospital because of a drinking problem. He told me that he has lost everything because of his addiction. He said, "I know that I need to change, but I never considered that it had anything to do with God." I said, "I'm not telling you that everything will be perfect when you repent and trust in Him, but you can be forgiven." I then shared with him places to go for recovery purposes, and then encouraged him to attend a local church. Jimmy was very appreciative that I stopped to share with him. I held back tears as I drove away.
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