What An Absolute Awesome Moment!

“Pastor Cunningham?”

“Yes.”

“This is Sarah.  I’m calling from Smithville, VA.  My pastor gave me your name.  I have a relative that was injured in a domestic dispute on Sunday and is in the local hospital.  Would you or someone in your church be able to visit him?  I’m not sure he is born again.”

“Sarah, I happen to be in the same town that your cousin is in.  I’ll be glad to see him.”

“Wow, Pastor Cunningham!  God answered my prayer so quickly!!”

After ending our conversation and completing the business at hand, Denise and I headed to the hospital.  Upon entering Rich’s room, I was greeted warmly by this hurting man in his 20’s.  I shared with him who I was and asked if he had a cousin named Sarah, and that she had requested that I visit with him.  That bit of information was the ice-breaker.  After talking about the reason for his injury, I asked, “Do you have any spiritual beliefs?”  He said, “Yes.”  Then I inquired, “Who is Jesus to you?”  He said, “He’s the Savior.”  I then asked, “If you had been killed last night, where would have gone?”  He said, “I’d be in hell right now.”  Despite several interruptions, I was able to share the gospel with him and answer his questions.  As we proceeded through the plan of salvation, his desire to know more increased.  He listened intently.  After 15 minutes or so, he looked at me and with tears in his eyes said, “Can I receive Him right now?”  And with that, he reached up, clasped my hand, repented and prayed to receive Christ as his Savior and Lord!  What an awesome moment!!  There is nothing more wonderful, more precious, and more joyful than to see a contrite sinner humble himself and receive Christ as his personal Savior!!

May I add that after writing yesterday’s blog, my heart is overflowing with gratitude and joy in the blessed privilege of pointing a dear young man to Christ.  Indeed, people are everywhere!  People who need the Lord!!  Just make yourself available.  God knows where they are.  He can connect you with them so you can share the blessed way of salvation.  The Gospel still works!  The Gospel still saves!  Oh the joy of watching an individual be transferred from darkness to light by the grace of God(Colossians 1:13)!!  What an awesome exchange!  What an awesome moment!!

(By the way, I’ve changed the names and locations.)

Colossians 1:11-14           Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.