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Having so much fun in Chicago this week. Getting to meet tons of different people with different backgrounds. I have been really excited to share my faith with these people, and see God work in their life. Some cool things have happened from cabbies giving Amy and I free rides to even witnessing to an astronaut (his identy verifed… hehe). Here is one of the most memorable experiences I had sharing my faith so far.
Ever get intimidated to share you faith with someone on an airplane? I know I do. I mean, what if it goes REALLY wrong and you are stuck sitting next to this person for the next hour? That would stink. Well anyway, on this trip I ended up taking a flight on an airline that allows you to choose where you sit. With this fear in mind, I decided the best thing to do would be to specifically pray that God would show me someone who needed to hear the gospel before I sat down. I thought this would give me a little more confidence to actually share my faith; if I already knew God had placed me specifically where he wanted me to be (doesn’t He do that already anyway?).
It soon became obvious who it was that I needed to sit by. Funny thing is that when I came closer to the two open seats next to him it appeared that he did not want anyone sitting next to him. The first seat had the tray pulled down like a barred gate protecting his fortress of solitude, and the seat next to that had a bag and papers in it to give the appearance that someone was already sitting there. I was on to his con right away and thought to myself, “If this man does not want anyone sitting next to him, then he definitely doesn’t want anyone preaching to him either!” None-the-less, I stuck with my instinct, and took a seat.
It didn’t take long for me to realize he didn’t want to talk. He was stuck to his paper, and after what appeared to be a catholic prayer before take off, I thought I had made a mistake and fell asleep. I woke up to the flight attendant delivering Amy a diet coke, and the man next to me some alcohol. I thought it was weird that he had ordered two cups of ice, and it turns out he was a very generous drinker. Not generous in that he drinks too much, but generous in that he likes to share what he drinks! He offered both Amy and I a drink, and I was a little a surprised at his willingness to share. I thanked him for his generosity and then told him when you have the Holy Spirit, you no longer need alcohol and quoted Ephesians 5:18.
This of course led to a conversation about Jesus, faith, and eternity where I was able to share the good news. Like most people, he listed to me all the charitable projects he has worked on, and all the other “good deeds” he has done as merit for heaven. I was happy to use this as an opportunity to share the “good news” that not only does he not need those good works to enter heaven, but that they won’t help him either! We had a good talk the rest of the flight where he thanked me repeatedly for showing him things he had never learned, and even said he believed God ordained that I sit by him. When I asked why he believed that, he turned and showed me where he had planned on sitting and there was a little girl vomiting on someone (could have been me if I would have wimped out earlier)!
By the way, it turns out that this man is over the educators union in his city where thousands of teachers and principals are members and influence the entire school system from elementary to high school in his city! Be bold and step out!