Since May, I’ve been praying a prayer every day: “Lord, please help me to represent You well to others today through my life and words.”
Last week my wife, Linda, and I took a short vacation up into British Columbia, Canada. We had a wonderful time reconnecting with a couple with whom we had worked in Austria in the 80s. After spending time with them, we met up with my brother- and sister-in-law and stayed a couple nights in Vancouver, BC, then hopped on a ferry to Victoria on Vancouver Island.
As usual, the day we got on the ferry I had prayed that prayer again.
We had gorgeous weather for the ferry crossing and ran into a guy on deck who was walking laps around the ship. On his second lap, we said “Hi,” and he stopped to explain what he was doing. Then, he continued to walk.
Seeing this guy on another lap, I sensed the Holy Spirit telling me to join him, and we walked laps around the ship together. And as we walked, he began telling me his story. I won’t go into all he shared with me, but he had had a rough life including PTSD that led to alcoholism and the loss of his marriage. He is now sober and putting his life back together.
In our brief time together, I was amazed at how deep our relationship developed. During our conversation, I had an opportunity to tell him that I am a follower of Jesus. Hearing this, he told me that both his brother and his therapist are followers of Jesus and have been urging him to give his life to Christ.
I joined in too and challenged him to trust Christ and watch what He would do in his life. He thanked me and kept telling me, “Our meeting together was no accident!” I continue to pray for this man that he would yield his life to Christ.
We parted as the ferry docked and shook hands warmly. I was overwhelmed with God’s goodness and love, grateful for the privilege of meeting this guy, getting to know him, and representing Christ to him through my life and words.
May I challenge you too to pray that prayer daily and then watch how God uses you in the lives of others?
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. But do this with gentleness and respect. – 1 Peter 3:15 NIV
©2019 Rob Fischer