
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
1 Peter 3:15
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Is this a 'God Thing'?
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I was browsing the internet looking at local churches and I came across one named "Rock Church". Great sounding name, I thought. So, I looked at the web site and gathered a few details. I wondered if I should visit this small store-front startup church. In fact, I felt oddly attracted to the idea. But, I couldn't come up with a good reason, so I said a short prayer for the pastor and the church and moved on.
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A couple of weeks later, I was shopping for a weed killer in a Lowe's store and struck up a conversation with another shopper. This fellow was in the same department and look like he had been working in the yard, also.
"So, which of these is a good weed killer for this area?", I asked.
"I don't really know", he replied. "I was hoping you could tell me".
"Well, this one says it kills fifty or so kinds of weeds and won't kill the grass", I smiled, "But, who knows? Are you from here?", I asked.
"Yes", was his simply reply. But he didn't have the North Carolina Mountain drawl, so I took a chance and pressed him.
"So, which church do you pastor", I guessed at this and I really don't know why I would ask such a silly question.
His eyes widened and his jaw went slack, "Whaaaaa? Do I know you?", he blurted.
"No", I grinned, "I just felt impressed to ask. So, you ARE a pastor?" I laughed.
"Yes, I am", He announced. He gave me his name, stuck out his hand and told me his church is a new church named The Rock Church.
Now my jaw went slack. "The storefront?", I asked?
"That's the one", he replied.
I told him I had visited the Church website and was interested in his church.
He told me a little about himself and how he became the pastor, then he invited me to his church.
"Great and thank you", I said. But remembering I couldn't come up with a good reason to visit this church I decided to ask him a question. "First, I have just one question for you".
"Go ahead", he smiled.
"Why?", I asked.
"Why, what?", he replied.
"Why should I visit your church?", I said, again.
He look perplexed. "Huh?", he stammered. "Well. because I invited you and would like to have you as a guest", he replied.
"Thank you", I said, "But, why? Why should I visit your church. I have a church and I am not a church hopper. So, I am wondering if I should visit and why?"
This fellow was stumped. "Well, it's up to you. We would like to have you visit, but, it's up to you".
I told him I would stay in touch via his church's email and went our ways.
"Well, that was a lost opportunity", I thought. But it puzzled me why I was feeling this way and why I was having these thoughts.
ONE YEAR LATER
Betty (my wife) and I were walking through a local park the 4th of July evening. We walked through a pavilion area and I noticed a sign that said "Rock Church Picnic here". I approached a group of older men sitting in lawn chairs and asked if this was The Rock Church from the storefront. One man answered with a broad smile, "It sure is. How are you?"
I answer that I was fine and that I had met the pastor of this church a year ago and asked if he was here?
The man pointed him out and proudly stated that he was the pastor's father.
I greeted the pastor and we had a friendly exchange. The pastor asked me why I had not contacted him?
I answered that I had emailed him through the church email address. We shook hands and went our ways.
The pastor's father approached me and invited me to come to their church sometime. I related my exchange with his son the year earlier about an invitation and said, "So, I would like to respectfully ask you the same question, why should I visit? Any special reason you would invite me?"
The man look surprised and said, "Well, no. I am just trying to be polite and invite you to our church."
I thanked him and turned to leave when the man said, "Wait a minute. Why would you ask me that?"
"Because I was wondering if it was you asking me or if it was God, or if you had a special reason", I replied.
We both smiled and my wife and I left. As we were leaving, though, I think I saw here roll her eyes.
"So, do you think I was out-of-bounds with that question?", I asked.
She just smiled and told me that if I didn't want to go I should just say so, or I could have told them I already had a church.
"Yes, I suppose I came off a bit weird or rude?" I asked.
She rolled her eyes again.
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"Well, I'll tell you. I sort of wanted to go to that church at one time. Seemed like the Holy Spirit was prompting me. But, I also felt like the Lord was telling me to ask that question. It gave them a chance to tell me about the reason for the Hope they have.
"You see, I don't need another church. I have one. What I need and want is Hope and a Promise from God. And I wondered if that was the reason they meet as a church - A Hope and A Promise from God.
"Or are they just meeting? I am retired now, and believe me, I am plenty tired of meetings."
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You see, I was once lost, without God. My life had spiraled out of control.
I had no job and a poor education. My wife and I split up. We had no children. My side of my family was worse off than me.
I had no hope.
But, God found me and bought me back from destruction.
He forgave my sins. He gave me a new start.
He restored my marriage.
He restored my health.
He gave me knowledge and wisdom.
He blessed us with children.
He gave me a career and money.
He gave me Hope.
He gave me to Jesus, and gave Jesus to me.
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So, if you ever ask, I will tell you that JESUS IS MY HOPE AND MY FUTURE
How about you? Do you think I was out of line? Do you have a reason for your hope?
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Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
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We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,
where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf.
Hebrews 6:19
Do you have a story or a Reason for your hope? Share it below...
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