Where
Are All The Heathens?!
He has gone to be the guest of a
‘sinner’.
Luke 19:7
Rich and Laura had taken Laura’s
visiting sister, Carlene, with them for a cookout at a friend’s
lakefront home. On the way they made a couple stops to introduce
Carlene to some friends who couldn’t make the event. All stops
made, they headed for the cookout, where they introduced Carlene to
the rest of their friends. The evening was friendly and informal.
Everyone, including Carlene, had a wonderful time, and the evening
broke up around 11:30.
Although no mention had been made, all
of Rich and Laura’s friends were Christians. Knowing Carlene was
agnostic, they had prayed for her over the past several years, asking
God to reveal Himself to her.
The three all said their goodnights and
headed home. Once in the car conversation centered on how great the
night was, and what a good time they’d each had. Carlene asked a
few pointed questions, setting the stage in preparation of putting to
words the one question that had been nagging her all night. “So,
Laura, where were all the heathens? I didn’t see a single one
tonight.”
Laura, not missing a beat, speaking
with mock solemnity, replied, “Why, Carlene, that’s why we
brought you!”
†
Only family can get away with such
shrouded humor! Laura would have bristled to hear anyone else make
that statement to her sister.
But what of Carlene’s question? Where
are all the heathens? Once saved we can, and sometimes do, forget
where and what we were when Jesus Christ reached into our hearts and
set us free. Although He did it for us, His hope is that it wouldn’t
end there.
Like those judging Zacchaeus, some
Christians travel in orbits that encircle Jesus Christ, but are
somehow appalled to consider rubbing shoulders with ‘real
sinners’.
Jesus spent time in sinner’s homes
because He had good reason—they needed cleansed of their sin. We
needed cleansed!
Having received such a gift, how can we
not share it with those who really need His message of love, grace,
and forgiveness: heathens.
Prayer
“Show me a sinner, like
me, Lord, who You want me to share my life with, and then give me
strength and the right words to speak, through Your Holy Spirit, that
will lead them to You. Amen.”
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