wanted: people to be used by god

He walked in not knowing what he would find, but certain God had led him here.

You see, after much prayer the night before the Lord had impressed upon him to go to the church up the street, the church where I’m a pastor. Despite being disabled, not having a car, and braving a cold winter wind, he walked several blocks this morning to see and hear what God wanted him to see and hear.

All he knew was that he needed something for the heart. That’s what God had communicated to him through Scripture and prayer: Go to that church to hear something about the heart.

So, guess what the title of my sermon was today? “Guard your heart.”

Hearing his story after the service brought tears to my eyes, knowing, like him, that the Lord had led him to this church to hear this particular sermon.

I wish I could share the rest of his story with you, but it’s too personal, too tragic and too fresh. Besides, I don’t want to betray my new friend’s confidence. Suffice to say he was a broken man who needed what he received: A Scriptural message, someone to listen to his heart-breaking story, and someone to pray with him.

Why do I share this story with you? For two reasons: First of all, to remind us that God is real, actively involved in people’s lives and loves us.

If you think God is oblivious to your circumstances, think again. He’s not only aware but is actively helping you, sometimes behind the scenes and sometimes in more obvious ways, such as what happened with this man.

I also wanted to share this story to remind us that God can use anybody, and I do mean anybody. Those of you who really know me are painfully aware that I’m a complete idiot, a knucklehead of the worst kind, and a first-class sinner.

And yet, the Lord decided to steer a desperately depressed and broken-hearted man my way. What in the world was He thinking?

Because I’m such an idiot, and because what God did this morning is an undeniable fact, I’ve concluded the Creator of the universe can apparently use anyone who 1) has a pulse, 2) loves His Son Jesus, and 3) makes himself or herself available.

If you’re like me, meeting the first two criteria is relatively easy, but the last one, well, that’s a lot harder. Am I right? And yet, if the Lord can use a knucklehead like me, imagine what He can do with you?!

So, what’s the point of all this? Be amazed, be inspired, and be encouraged, but most of all be available.

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?’ And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’"1

1  Isaiah 6:8

spiritually lost

“I hope you have a lousy Christmas and your whole family dies.”

My words ended our yelling match—the man was speechless. Now satisfied that I had gotten the upper hand, I walked back to my car and sped away. He had cut me off and was now paying for it with my hurtful words.

That road rage incident of 25+ years ago shows you what kind of person I was prior to following Christ. I was not only spiritually lost, I had tons of sinful habits including a violent temper and a foul mouth.

Praise God that the Lord has changed me over the years. While I’m far from perfect, I haven’t cussed out or threatened other drivers for several days. Just kidding.

Really, if you had known what I was like back then you wouldn’t recognize me now. While I could be charming and personable when I wanted, I was the king of sin in both heart and behavior. The only thing that prevented me from doing something bad was the fear of getting caught. There was no fear of God. None.

But then came the phone call from my good friend, Sean. Considering he had an inoperable brain tumor, he was awfully happy and chatty. When I asked what was up, he told me: He found Christ.

That Sunday I attended church with my friend and the spiritual blinders were lifted. For the first time ever, the Bible made sense. And Jesus wasn’t just a curse word anymore, He became real.

Why do I share this embarrassing episode from my past, along with how much I’ve changed? Because I’m guessing there’s a “Chris” in your life. That is, someone who’s far away from God and needs to hear about Jesus.

And the only way he or she will hear the good news may be through you. Yep, that’s right, maybe you can be the person’s “Sean.”

“The Lord… is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”1 

While the Lord is waiting patiently for unbelievers to repent of their sins and follow Him, let’s not forget that people run out of time. If you’re not following the thought, people die. And those who die without accepting Christ will “perish.”

That was the fate I was facing until I became a Christian at the age of 35. Not good.

So who do you know that is as spiritually lost as I once was? Somebody hopelessly selfish and oblivious to the things of God? Come on, think about it. Surely you know someone who needs to hear about Jesus.

Come on, keep thinking…

Yeah, that guy/gal.

Now, what are you going to do about it? If you don’t speak up, who will?

“Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, ‘Here am I. Send me!’"2

1  2 Peter 3:9

2  Isaiah 6:8