March 12, 2008
He cut in front of me at the grocery checkout stand. He was an elderly man, it was hard to tell exactly how old, easily in his late seventies, more likely his mid to late eighties. He was dirty and smelled less than pleasant. It was only 3 pm. and he smelled like he'd been drinking all day.I'd like to tell you I was super-spiritual and talked with him and shared the gospel, but I was tired from the teaching I had just finished and stood behind him. That didn't deter him, he simply turned around and began to talk.
He told me his name, his life story, and more. I could hardly get a word in. Then as the checker finished he smiled and said "Thanks for talking to me. Most people don't."
Ouch! He had been blessed by just having someone listen to him. I had some serious repenting to do.
One of the biggest problems our busy world faces is loneliness. It's hard to imagine that in a world with more than six billion people that anyone could possibly be lonely, but it' true. Even in houses full of family many people lie awake in the middle of the night aching with loneliness asking themselves questions like:
Does anyone even care that I'm alive?
Will anyone even miss me if I disappeared?
Why is everyone else so happy when I feel so all alone?
Is there any meaning to my life?
Why doesn't someone care?
Why doesn't anyone ever listen to me?
Am I invisible?
The list goes on and on.
For those of us who know Christ, we don't ever need to ask those questions. If we know who we are in Him, we understand how much He loves us and that He will never leave us We know that He has a purpose for our lives. We know that He will always be there for us.
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Deuteronomy 31:6 NIV
But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV
If you're not certain of who you are in Christ drop us a note. Let us know your first name and we'll email you back a personalized reminder of who you are in him.
A believer is never alone.
Sometimes God's people will let you down, like I would have done with the old man standing in line, but God never will.
Until next time, rejoice in the fact that you are loved and have value beyond measure and God is always ready to hear your story and prayers.
Be blessed
Darrel Mason