Walking with his friend, Al...
Illustration
Walking with his friend, Al, was something Jason did every day after work. He looked forward to that time when they could talk over the events of the day. Or, perhaps they wouldn't talk at all; they would just keep going silently while picking up their pace.
Today, Al wanted to talk, so they were walking slower than usual. Al and his wife were members of a local church. Often he shared things with Jason about various events taking place in the congregation. Jason didn't go to church, but was always interested in what his friend had to say. Al told him that he and his wife were having their pastor over for dinner the next evening. He invited Jason to join them.
"Al," he said, "you've never told me what it is about the church that keeps you so interested. Are you and your wife friends with the pastor?"
"Yes, of course," Al answered. "But it's so much more than that!" He continued by explaining to Jason that at one point in his marriage, he and his wife had given up hope that they could stay together. Counseling didn't help much. But they tried another avenue after someone told Al that God was the only one who could help. They started attending church. Through prayer and study of the Bible, both Al and his wife experienced the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives, which changed everything.
Jason had become very quiet during Al's explanation. He said nothing. Finally, Al asked again if he'd come to dinner, and Jason answered, "Al, why didn't you tell me this before? Of course, I would be privileged to eat at your table!"
Today, Al wanted to talk, so they were walking slower than usual. Al and his wife were members of a local church. Often he shared things with Jason about various events taking place in the congregation. Jason didn't go to church, but was always interested in what his friend had to say. Al told him that he and his wife were having their pastor over for dinner the next evening. He invited Jason to join them.
"Al," he said, "you've never told me what it is about the church that keeps you so interested. Are you and your wife friends with the pastor?"
"Yes, of course," Al answered. "But it's so much more than that!" He continued by explaining to Jason that at one point in his marriage, he and his wife had given up hope that they could stay together. Counseling didn't help much. But they tried another avenue after someone told Al that God was the only one who could help. They started attending church. Through prayer and study of the Bible, both Al and his wife experienced the presence of Jesus Christ in their lives, which changed everything.
Jason had become very quiet during Al's explanation. He said nothing. Finally, Al asked again if he'd come to dinner, and Jason answered, "Al, why didn't you tell me this before? Of course, I would be privileged to eat at your table!"
