Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Car Trip (07/18/05)
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TITLE: But Now I See | Previous Challenge Entry
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07/20/05 -
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Something touched me that day. God touched me. As I stood in the huge arena looking at desperate, pain-filled faces, I no longer saw rebellious men with bad habits and wretched lives, I saw men who desperately needed a Savior. God pierced me with an overwhelming feeling of conviction. They needed a Savior, which I had pleasantly hid from them. I felt God speak to my soul, “Go to them, do not be afraid, they need you. Get out of the church and be the church for these grieving people.”
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) (14)"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. (15) Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. (16) In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
When I became a Christian, I chose to become distant and not interact with this group of people. I wanted to be ‘cozy’ in church. I did not want them to corrupt me with their partying life-style, so I avoided them.
I knew the verses: John 17:15-18(NIV) (15)My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. (16)They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. (17)Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. (18)As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world”.... but I chose not to live it.
We walked in silence through the grey tombstones and haphazardly placed floral arrangements. We stopped momentarily to talk to a man on a sleek, polished, Harley, his breath smelled of alcohol. Speculation would indicate that this man was up all night drinking his woes away. I knew his heart cried, despite his outward toughness and tattoo that indicated nothing could penetrate his soul. Instead of labeling him a sinner, it came to me as a startling revelation; we were all desperate once.
John 8:7-11 (NIV) (7)When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." (8)Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. (9)At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. (10)Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" (11)"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
The fire truck came to a screeching halt in front of the prepared tent, waiting to welcome the mourning. The firemen stood at attention; the wives stood tall but our knees were weak.
Who would have ever dreamed that a seemingly ‘routine’ early morning fire would take a veteran firefighter from us?
Bagpipes hauntingly echoed “Amazing Grace” (Words by John Newton 1779).
Amazing Grace!
How sweet the sound.
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found
Was blind, but now I see.
……ah, yes, but now I see.....
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