The other day we had Jason the plumber over to finally hook up our sink and dishwasher. We had only met him one time before but we liked his work and were excited to get our kitchen put back together. As Jason was working under the sink Bryan noticed him looking up at the memory verse on the wall. He would glance at it every time he walked by. Finally Bryan said something, "Jason, does that verse mean something to you?" Jason said no but he wanted to know more about it but he didn't have a Bible. Bryan went and found one (we just happened to have a new one in the closet) to give to him. Then Bryan asked a second question, 'Tell me about yourself." Over the next hour that is exactly what our plumber did. He told us all about growing up with a mom who had him at 16 and spent all of her life leaving him because she partied. Having an addict for a mom and a dad who was never around, growing up on the streets of Pittsburgh, lead to a very messed up life. Because of his past he had trouble staying in relationships and making commitments. His girlfriend had just broken up with him and he was lonely and frustrated that his life looked like this. Bryan listened to him and asked if we could pray for him. Standing in our front yard we put our hands on Jason and prayed. As he left we invited him to church on Sunday night.
On Sunday morning Bryan texted Jason, the plumber, to see how he was doing. He said he ended up going to church on Saturday and GOT BAPTIZED! And he said he was still coming on Sunday night too. He was so excited he watched all the sermons on the series in Acts so he could be "caught up" and know what we were talking about this week. When Jason walked up to us at church that night he had a huge smile on his face and his spirit was definitely lighter. He was ready for his life to change all he needed was somebody to ask the second question and share the good news.
This should not be a fluke or something abnormal. I pray God puts a hundred "Jasons" in our path and we take the time, have the courage, and show the love of Jesus to all of them. It doesn't have to be epic. It might just be asking a few more questions, being a good listener, and asking them to come to church. This isn't a job for just pastors or ministers. We are ALL called to spread the news that Jesus loves them and wants a relationship with everybody.
“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved...." Mark 16:15-16b
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