Short Stories
The Elevator Dialogue
By Dan Blankenship
© 2002
Kyle entered the elevator shortly before nine in the morning. He carried his briefcase in his left hand. His bible, tucked under the same arm, fell to the floor as he pressed the elevator buttons. He noticed the strange look the middle aged man launched his direction as the doors to the elevator closed. Seconds later there was a jerk and the elevator jammed, leaving the two men stuck between floors.
"So I guess you're a preacher or something?" the man asked Kyle.
"No," Kyle answered, hoping they could talk about the elevator being stuck instead of getting into a "you one of those people?" talks.
"Well you got a Bible with ya. Just figured you was a preacher."
"Actually, people besides preachers read the Bible."
"Sure, in their home or maybe at Sunday School," the man replied.
"Well I read mine whenever I have any spare time. If I was carrying a Stephen King novel, would you ask me if I was a Stephen King fan?" Kyle responded, not sure himself where he was leading the man. Kyle sensed this man was seeking to start an argument.
"Probably not. I just never saw anyone carrying a Bible unless they were on their way to church," the man responded while trying to get the emergency phone out of its silver box.
The man talked to the building's security personnel for a few seconds. Kyle tried to pretend he was not concerned about being trapped in an elevator with someone so inquisitive.
"They said they're working on it. Should be a short while," the man reported, his eyes once again focusing on Kyle's Bible. “You believe in all that Jesus stuff?"
Kyle was confused. He had done nothing to offend this man. He had just recently accepted Jesus as his Savior and loved to read his Bible on his lunch break. He could not understand why this man felt at ease confronting him. Kyle usually carried his bible in his briefcase, reading from it during his lunch hour, but today his briefcase was full of projects.
"Yes, I believe in all that Jesus stuff," Kyle answered, becoming somewhat unnerved.
"Hmm... So you think He died and came back to life?"
"Yes I do."
"You believe a virgin gave birth to him?"
"Yes I do. Do you mind if I ask where you are going with all these questions?" Kyle shot back with a look of astonishment on his face.
"Well, I figure we have a few minutes to kill, and since I think Christians are a bunch of, well, loonies, why not ask a few questions. I mean come on, you've gotta admit it is hard to believe all the stuff in that book. How in the world could Noah fit every species of animals on a boat?"
"I really don't think he needed every species of animal. If one kind of butterfly was on Noah's boat, that same butterfly could, through mutations, account for all the species we have today."
"So you believe in evolution? Kind of contradicts the bible doesn't it?"
Kyle could tell this man was not as educated as he was, but made up for it in bullheadedness.
"No, I don't believe in evolution. I believe each kind of animal is capable of mutations, which can cause it to become more adaptable. But these mutations do not happen because of an unsuitable environment. The mutations themselves are coincidental, but there is nothing coincidental about an animal with better camouflage having a better chance of survival. It is my firm belief that an all powerful creator designed each species’ genes with the ability to branch out into the wide variety we see today."
"I don't understand what in the world you are talking about."
"Okay. I do not believe animals change into other animals, like lizards to birds, or monkeys to people. Let me explain it this way. Some people are short, right?"
"Yes."
"Well, to give you a scenario, what if a new kind of weather force started in the world? Let's say small particles of razor sharp ice flew around the planet six feet above the ground all year round. Pretty soon, all the people 5'11" and above would be rare. Short people would run the planet, yet the change in weather did not create a new species. It simply wiped out the people who had the tall gene. The same thing happens when darker butterflies survive because they are hidden in a dark habitat from predators. A new species was not created, but the butterflies with lighter genes got kicked out of Butterfly Island," Kyle rattled off while the man stood stunned.
"Wow. You really have your stuff together. Most of the time people just admit it's all based on faith and junk like that. Okay, let's say your right about that. Why doesn't God just appear to everyone, so everyone becomes a believer?" the man said with a slight smirk on his face. He obviously felt he had cornered Kyle on this one.
"Well, first of all, I am sorry I have not introduced myself to you. My name is Kyle Anderson," he said, reaching out his hand to the man. Kyle could sense this man’s attitude changing.
"Jeff Carraselli," the man replied as the two shook hands rather cautiously.
"Jeff, I have heard that a lot of people ask that question. I would have to answer it like this. In the Old Testament, God did show Himself to others. With Moses He was a burning bush; with other people He sent angels to be messengers for Him. The wild thing is that even people who witnessed great miracles and brushes with God still did not follow Him. In the New Testament, men who were with Jesus every day doubted who He was, even though he performed miracles right in front of them."
Jeff looked at Kyle for a few seconds. "And?"
"And I think... Well, all over the world there may be conversations like this going on right now. The very fact that I got on this elevator at the same time as you today; the very fact that I brought my Bible with me today, and did not stuff it in my briefcase as I usually do; the very fact that in the fourteen years I have worked here, this elevator has never gotten stuck; the very fact that our conversation has not turned into a tirade of insults, leads me to believe God may just be showing you Himself on this Wednesday morning."
Suddenly Jeff looked as though he had seen a ghost. "What day did you just say it is?"
"Wednesday," Kyle answered.
"My meeting in this building was scheduled for Thursday," Jeff slowly muttered. "I have never, in my entire life, got my days of the weeks confused."
"Well it is a good thing you did. Thursday is my day off every week," Kyle replied with a grin.
Kyle was amazed that even though he was relatively new to living for Christ, he was having the chance to show another the path he had found. His excitement was very hard to contain.
He told Jeff about how he became a believer; told him the story of Roman’s Road; explained why his faith was so strong. And Jeff listened to every word. Neither of the men could see the muscular angel holding the elevator cable still as the testimony was given. Nor could they hear the cheers ringing out in another dimension as the words of forgiveness were spoken.
Thirty minutes later, the elevator doors opened. Two maintenance men and one security guard stared as they looked upon the two men embracing one another in the center of the elevator, tears streaming down their faces.
The security guard looked at the maintenance men. "Man, these guys are a couple of wimps. They were only stuck for thirty minutes."
One of the maintenance men yelled out to them. "Hey you're free now!"
Jeff Carraselli shook the maintenance man's hand - tears still streaming down his face - and let him know the good news. "Yes I am. I am definitely free now!"
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What a great story! This is a truly good example of God's work.
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