Transforming Friendships
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a
new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
—2 Corinthians 5:17
Craig was an atheist who did not believe
in anything supernatural, spiritual, or eternal. He was living from the premise
of “this is all there is to life, so live and let live.”
However, he had
a longtime friend named Andrea who was a Christian searching for meaning and
strength to live her faith daily. She and Craig were out shopping when she
popped the big question: “Will you go to church with me?” His response was
consistent with his atheism, “No. I don’t want to go to church and I don’t want
to talk about your religion. No!” However, Andrea was praying for Craig and had
asked many others to pray.
Weeks and weeks
went by with similar responses from Craig. Andrea was challenged to remain
faithful to witnessing to Craig. One day, the subject of church came up again
and Craig relented. He said, “Sure, I will go.” She was shocked but excited.
Not only did he attend that day but began attending regularly. While still very
skeptical, Craig began asking questions about the sermons and worship
experiences, even purchasing a Bible. Andrea was faithful to try and answer his
inquiries and satisfy his curiosity.
One Saturday,
Craig called to see if Andrea wanted to do some shopping. This would be a
shopping experience neither of them would ever forget. After spending the day
together, Andrea felt a bold impression to ask another great question: “Craig
would you like to be a Christian?” Craig said, “Yes, I would.” In that moment,
Andrea led her friend to Jesus while sitting in the car in the mall parking lot.
When someone is ready to be transformed, God is ready to do the transformation,
even in a mall parking lot!
Craig followed
the Lord in Christian baptism just after the 2011 Focus Forty Celebration
Service at Towne Boulevard Church. Today, he is a faithful member of Towne and
serves in various ways through that ministry.
O God, help me establish real
relationships in which I can be used as a faithful witness. Give me courage and
boldness to share my faith with my friends. Keep me from discouragement as I
tell my story. Give me wisdom as I answer honest questions my friends are
asking about my faith. And finally, Lord, give me sensitivity to your Spirit
that I might know when to speak for you, to express your extreme love for them.
Mitchell
Burch, Senior Pastor, Towne Boulevard Church of God, Middletown, Ohio
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