|
 While
waiting for a grease job and oil change at a Detroit area
service station, I listened to the chatter of the boys at the
rack. One fellow was voicing his dreams of advancement and
better days ahead, and his friend was skeptical. “Others have
done it,” he replied, “and all men have the same
opportunity.”
That
really caught, my ear, for I had not heard such sentiments
uttered in many a moon. I said to myself, “Brother, that may
not be true, but if anyone gets ahead it will be someone like
you who believes it is true.” We have become so realistic that
we have no place for dreams. Our cold calculations tell us it
can’t be done, so we ignore that restless spark in man that
says, “I dare you — try it anyhow!” Sometimes I think we
neither believe in ourselves, nor in the power of the gospel of
Christ.
I
remember baptizing a young man, who immediately asked what he
could do to serve the Lord. Not having the heart to squelch his
enthusiasm, I told him he could teach his neighbor. “But I don’t
know anything to teach,” he objected. I gave him the stock
answer: “You know what you have done — just tell him about
that.”
| |
A
few days later he called to say he had told his neighbor all he
had done, and the neighbor wanted to know where the Bible taught
such things. A bit incredulous, I helped him locate some key
passages, and gave him a few pointers on presentation. Within
two weeks he brought the neighbor in to be baptized; and now
both men wanted to know where and how to pitch the next effort
for the Lord. Things like this can get out of hand, so that the
preacher has no time for golf or fishing. It is also
embarrassing to the church member on the other side of the
neighbor, who had never made an effort to spread the “good
news.” I was tempted to tell the new converts to work on their
lazy brother, but I didn’t want to discourage then so early in
the game. May God forgive us!
“All
have the same opportunity”? Well, all have twenty-four hours
per day, contacts that have as little or less learning than we,
influence commensurate with our efforts, and a conscience that
urges us on, even if we have tried to ignore it.
We
accomplish things only when we roll up our sleeves and try. That’s
all a mule can do — once you have gotten his attention.
[Previous
Article] [Next
Article]
|
