I met a guy yesterday, and the encounter has really hit me hard. This is what went down: I was looking to buy a piece of second-hand furniture and responded to a classified ad online. I ended up going to this man’s house to check things out and hopefully make the purchase. From the moment he and I connected on the phone, to the hand shake and greeting at his front door, to the conversation that ensued, there was something different about this guy. The way he spoke to me, even when joking about something silly, his mannerisms and way of speaking made me smile. There was CLEARLY something different about this big man. I decided I was going to buy what he was selling and we started to make plans for me to arrange transport to collect it, and that’s when he asked me where I live. ‘Oh I know exactly where that is. Help me load this onto my van and I’ll drop it off for you!’ It was quite a long way, so I offered to pay a bit extra, he declined. This guy was starting to impress me even more and an hour later, he and his young son were at my door, ready to offload things and he even took time to share a fascinating story about my neighbourhood and some interesting trivia I didn’t know. From start to finish, and I cannot stress enough, everything about this guy was unusually overwhelming. So I started to wonder…what is it about him that makes him so outstanding? I meet people daily and this occasion stands out above every encounter I’ve had in the last few years. That’s how impactful this man was and I can’t even pinpoint one specific thing. It was just…everything about him!
Later that night I had a quiet moment and then I thought to message the man. I told him how kind he was and a few of the other things that really made our meeting one that stood out. This was his response to me: “It’s a pleasure. We follow Jesus so we want to do things better. Maybe the world can be a better place if we do things that way.” So there it was….totally unashamed of the Gospel! The man didn’t know I was a Christian. (Wonder what he thought about me?!) Fearlessly confessing the reason why he chooses to do things the way he does. To treat people the way he does.
We proceeded to chat a bit longer and then left it at that. In all he said, he didn’t try to hide what he believes to avoid confrontation, or possibly avoid offending me. He didn’t just skip a witnessing opportunity because he was only selling me some furniture and had better things to do. It was a random moment and it was more than sufficient time to give an answer reflecting the hope that he had while revering Christ as Lord. (1Peter 3:15)
Yes, this has made me think…a lot. Am I seen as different to what most people have to endure every day? Do I set off something in their hearts? Is the Holy Spirit plain to see in my dealings and relationships? Am I the salt and the light that Jesus spoke of in Matthew chapter 5? We have much to ponder, you and I. We have been told we need to be something different; that something special that the world so desperately craves. May you also leave a lasting impression in the heart of someone today, causing their spirit to be stirred, and fulfill the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:16:
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.