Reality check

Tonight's final hour of work and driving were so annoying. I spent 15 minutes looking for an item at work that was stuck to something I looked under three times. My "low fuel" light lit up once on the interstate home. Stopped at the local Wal-mart Supercenter to fill up just in time for them to turn the lights off and shrug the proverbial shoulders. I didn't even know those places ever closed. I did manage to find a station prior to having to push my way home.

Then I began to think about the up-coming week and returned to the land of actual perspective. I will be in Norman, Oklahoma for five days setting up a new store. One of my best friends and biggest professional influences will be there with me. This is THE guy. He is Mr. Overachiever. He is the tough guy all the ladies love. He is the guy with the math degree from a major university who then decided to enlist and made Sergeant in 18 months rather than teaching. Once that was over he began his career here where he has had unrivaled success in all facets of the business. His people skills are amazing. His understanding of what the job is and how to do it are amazing. This guy has it all together. After he and his wife split, he took full custody of their two boys and has done an amazing job raising them. He even manages to help her out when needed. This guy is disciplined. He is strong. He is awesome. By the standard of the world, he is second to none.

Now the problem. This is a man who is disgusted by the sheer thought of the gospel. He would not cast so much as a shadow on a church entrance. He was raised in "church." I put quotations on that because you know what I mean. Legalistic crap that impacts basically no one. His boys, like many others in the same scenario, have decided Dad is correct. Why is it that this type of amazing person is seemingly the hardest to reach? How do we as a church and I, as a servant of Christ, share the gospel with this man who seems to have his life together? How do I convey that it is not about having your life together? Reaching people who are down and out is one of our main goals and it should always continue to be. But my heart is heavily burdened for my "not down and out" friend. Next week I have five days to share what God did in my life and wants to do in his. Next week I pray that you will pray for my friend and for me. Next week I hope there is a massive celebration in the Kingdom of heaven for my friend. Next week is the opportunity of an eternity, not a lifetime. I cannot even imagine what God could use this guy to do if he would just let Him do it. Here is a line this friend said to me last time we spoke about our faith. "If I believed what you believe, I would NEVER stop preaching." I'll leave you with that to digest.