One of the most astonishing things about God is that he accomplishes his plans in ways custom-tailored to each individual. The Bible contains numerous examples of this: Abraham’s journey to Mount Moriah with his son Isaac (Genesis 22) to test his obedience; Gideon’s army being reduced from 32,000 to 300 (Judges 7) to test his level of trust and reveal the power of God; and Paul’s transformation from ‘hater of those who follow Christ’ to ‘proclaimer of Christ to those who don’t know him’ (Acts 9). Such faith stories are designed to inspire, challenge, and refresh those who hear them.
Today, I would like to share with you my faith story.
For me, Sundays were spent watching NASCAR or helping Dad with numerous odd jobs. Church was not part of the day’s agenda. But one weekend, I asked my parents if it would be okay if I went with her and her son John. To my surprise, they allowed me to. Despite my initial feelings upon entering the building, I enjoyed the trip. There were people that I knew, and they seemed to like the fact that I was there. Over the next year or so, I attended as often as I could, even when Mrs. Powell was sick or out of town. Raymond, the youth guy, and his family were kind enough to take me home afterwards on some occasions, which I sincerely appreciated.
A few months later, it was announced that a skiing trip to the mountains of North Carolina was planned for January, and everyone was invited—provided they attended enough meetings and activities. I qualified (barely), but two weeks before the vans rolled out, I came down with the flu. While at home, I found a copy of the Living Bible inside a stand in my room. I was tired of video games and chicken noodle soup, so I laid on my bed and read the books of Matthew, Mark, and Luke in one sitting. Incredible, I thought. I wonder if this stuff really is true . . .
The day of the trip arrived, and I was ready to go. My luggage was at the church, courtesy of my father. The kids were gathering. However, I was at the high school, watching the number of students dwindle and the clock draw nearer to our departure time of 4 PM.
The director, Raymond, had made a promise to pick me up, since Mom and Dad were both working. But it was 3:40 and he was nowhere to be found. In a measure of desperation, I asked the last student in the parking lot to convince his father to take me. I arrived at the church, immediately made my way to Raymond, and asked him what happened to the promise.
His response surprised me: “Well, at least you’re here.”
We drove all night, arriving in Boone NC during a snowstorm. The next day, I attempted to ski for the first time. It wasn’t pretty. The rest of the trip wasn’t much prettier. It was as if the snow had revealed the group’s true attitudes about me. I was routinely ignored, talked down to, and alienated at points by them—as well as Raymond. I just needed some encouragement, and it wasn’t coming. The breaking point came when the group gathered in a hotel room to see a movie, and upon my entrance, the group (with Raymond inside) yelled, “Get out of here!” It was made worse because Raymond had chosen me to room with him and two other students that weekend.
After the movie debacle, I closed the door to my room and walked over to the window. Looking down, I saw the remnants of the previous day’s snowstorm. My mind was experiencing a mixture of emotions—uncertainty, anger, rejection, fear. What had held so much potential and promise was now a distant memory.
I didn’t know what to do, so I did the only two things I knew at the time. The first was to compose myself. The second was to watch an episode of American Gladiators, all the time thinking, Why am I even here?
The rest of the roommates arrived later on, followed by Raymond. Seeing him, I felt a level of frustration I had never experienced before well up inside me—and I let him have it: “What’s going on? I didn’t come here to be ignored and alienated! Do you have any idea how I’m feeling right now? You could’ve shown a little bit of compassion at some point this week!”
Raymond didn’t change his attitude as a result, replying, “Well, it’s too late now.” He then added, “We’re going to have our room devotion (a short Bible story relating to the trip) in ten minutes.” Knowing I couldn’t escape, my plan was to tune him out for the devotion and just go to sleep.
But something unexpected occurred.
I found myself hanging on every word Raymond said as he talked about Jesus, his life, something about a cross, and that I needed to have him as a friend that is closer than a brother. I knew my attitudes weren’t right. I knew I’d made tons of mistakes in my young life. I suddenly realized that Jesus bridged a gap I could never attempt to cross in my life. He provides the path to true refreshment for anyone who takes him at his word and claims him as their Forgiver and Leader.
Despite Raymond’s broken promise and seeming indifference to my feelings, the group’s attitude towards me, and a long evening watching American Gladiators in a lonely hotel room, what appeared on the outside to be unsuccessful was in fact a major success. And in this case, the message of Christ won over my life.
I write these words 16½ years later, realizing that the journey is challenging and exhilarating at the same time. I still mess up and make mistakes, but Christ has provided me a new outlook on life and what I should be doing to tell others about him, just like Paul experienced on a dusty road one afternoon 2000 years ago.
So, what’s your story? Do you have someone you can tell it to? May you share it with someone who needs to hear it this week. If you don’t have a story, it’s not too late to begin writing one. Feel free to email me (purerefreshment@gmail.com) if you’d like to know more, or find a follower of Christ you trust. We’re all in this together.
Whatever your response, may God refresh you today. And as he does, may you, in turn, go and refresh others.
“This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life.”
—John 3:16-17 (The Message)
All material copyright 2006 J. Alan Sharrer. No part of this message may be reproduced—other than the forwarding of the original, unaltered message—without express written permission.
