Traveling for Business
Several years ago, I was on an air plane traveling for business. Right after the doors had closed, my name was called — I had been upgraded from coach to first class!
As I was sitting down, I introduced myself to the gray-haired gentleman next to me. We chatted about life and business for some time. After hearing what I did for a living, he asked me if I had always taught combatives. I told him, “No. I had been a dishwasher, a police officer, a truck driver, a private investigator, and an assistant pastor at a local church."" When he heard I had been an assistant pastor, his countenance changed. With a bit of sarcasm and pointedness, he made the following statement: “Oh, you're one of those! I have a question for you.....Pastor!”
The Divine Appointment
He asked me: “Why did God kill my boy?” He told me his 38-year-old son had been killed in a car accident recently.
I expressed my condolences, then said: “Your struggle doesn't seem to be one of belief, but rather of one of betrayal.”
He exclaimed, “I don't believe in God!!!” I replied, “Sure you do. You feel betrayed by Him because of what He allowed to happen to your son.” He shot back, “No, I don't!” I said, “Your first question was, 'Why did God kill my son?'' If you truly don't believe in God, then God couldn't have killed your son. So your question isn't about disbelief — it's about the thoughts and feelings of betrayal.”
He became silent, turned away from me, and then ordered two bottles of wine. When they came, he looked out the window and refused to talk with me for several minutes. Finally, he turned back to me and said, “You're good. You're really good.”
I replied, “No sir, I just know how to listen. Sir, your heart has a hole in it the size of Texas because of what you've been through. I believe our meeting is a divine appointment." "Why do you say that", he asked. I continued, "Because remember, I'm supposed to be sitting back in seat 22C. Instead, I'm sitting here next to you in 4C. I believe our Lord misses you and sent me to encourage you.”
After listening to and talking with this man, I found out his son was a Believer. I told the man: “You will have all eternity to catch up with and live forever with your son. But until then, when you get home from this flight, I want to encourage you to get down on your knees, pray, and pour your heart out to your Lord. Pound your fists on the floor. Yell if you need to. I've done that when I was angry with God. And in my darkest hour, He met me there. And He can meet you where you are right now. Your Lord misses you. Please begin your journey back to Him with daily prayer.”
After our 4.5 hour conversation, the man cried and hugged me. We never saw each other again, but I continue to pray for him.
In Closing
I share this to encourage Christ-Centered Believers to daily look for opportunities to minister to the needs of others. People are hurting — at work, at home, at the grocery store, and even seated next to us on planes. Let's find, teach, encourage, inspire, uplift, and help them draw closer to their Lord or return to Him.
If you have questions or comments, you can email me here.
In His Name,
Roy