Debbie and I got to class early. We were visiting a church we usually attend when we are out of town and in the area of this congregation. We have attended this class several times before and really enjoyed the Bible studies. It is a large class and classroom.
Since we were early, there were only three other people in class. Two were sitting near us and one young man was sitting alone next to the wall. I glanced over to see him and in his eyes I could see pain. Not physical pain , but emotional pain.
What I did next I have never done before in my life. I had in my heart such an urge to go talk to him. Nothing planned to say, but just to talk. I just got up quickly, before my mind could over-ride my heart and talk me out of it, went to him and told him my name and Debbie's. I said, "We are visitors here, are you a member here?". "No, this is my first time" was his response. I asked if he knew any one here. He said, "No sir".
The small talk ended. He then began to tell me why he was there. His life was in a dark place and he wanted it back. He wanted some peace. I now knew why I was urged to go talk to him. God knew this young man was hurting and searching. God's Spirit urged me to go and for the first time, I had the courage to be vulnerable and take a chance on letting God help this troubled young man through me.
I asked him to come and sit with Debbie and me. I told him he was in the right place and people at this place would love him and help him. I had sent others who were addicted there and they did everything to help them. I also introduced him to the teacher and another one of the church leaders.
The teacher's lesson was perfect for his situation. After class the teacher and the other leader talked to him. I asked him to sit with me in the worship service, and I would go on down with Debbie to get our seats. He said he would.
After I got our seats in the auditorium, I had another young man text me asking where I was. Over a year ago, I had sent him down there and he went through rehab. He has been clean over a year. I spotted him and asked him to sit with us. I told him I needed his help and experience and filled him in.
As we were sitting together I could hear them talking. It was all falling into place. This young visitor was being surrounded by people who loved him and some had even been where he was now, the dark places.
All through the sermon most everything the preacher said was giving this troubled young man hope. Also, I felt like he was my son, needing God to help him. I prayed, God please help him.
I said all of this to get to the most beautiful part. I knew he came seeking help. He was at rock bottom. I had to offer God's love, through me, and courage for him to take that first step toward recovery.
As the preacher offered the invitation and the invitation song was being sung, I did something I never have done in church before, especially being a visitor in this congregation and just had met this young man. I slowly turned toward him and softly spoke these words, "I will go down with you". His reaction was what I was hoping for. He said, "Ok, let's do it."
As we walked together down the isle, tears began to flow from both of us. He had been baptized before and had walked away from God. He wanted help to put the pieces of his life back together.
We have communicated by text and email since that day. He related part of his story to me. This young man had been abused since he was a baby. His innocence was destroyed by evil. He reverted to drugs to remove the emptiness, pain, guilt and feelings of unworthiness.
There are too many people in our communities with this same story. Their lives have been damaged by evil at an early age while they were young and innocent. Some may not seek out a church to go back to like this young man. They are wanting something to numb the inner turmoil and pain. No one comes to their rescue with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. So what do they do to cover the pain? They turn to sex, drugs, violence, and hate, filing the void in their hearts where hope and love should reside.
Many times I pray for the hurting and have compassion and love for them, but as in this case, God wanted me and the church to be the answer to those prayers showing them hope and love. That is, "unconditional love".
I hope I have many more opportunities to show God's love through me to someone who needs peace and God's love, grace, and forgiveness in their life.
You and I need to show God's love by LOL! No, not laughing out loud, but showing God's love by, "LOVING OUT LOUD". I think you get the picture. Sorry to say it has taken me several years to get it.
We are coming near the season that many are thinking of Christ. Many will be hungry, cold and weary on Christmas day. Let's go through this Christmas "Loving Out Loud". Giving them the most precious gift of hope we could give, "The Gospel of Jesus Christ".
Please share if you can relate to this by email or Facebook. Send any comments to:rhepler52@gmail.com
P.S. I used "I" a lot in this post. To make it clear, "I" didn't have anything to do with this, because if it was just "I" alone, I would never have had the courage or compassion to do it. It was God working through me. "I" was just the conduit of His love to flow through.
Thank you for reading. Go out and show God's love this weekend by "LOVING OUT LOUD".
Rick Hepler
