Pastors are notorious for airplane stories. In college and in seminary visiting preachers would often introduce their sermons with a story about a conversation they had with the person seated next to them on the airplane. So predictable is this phenomenon that you might think it to be a class taught at seminary. It’s not by the way.
But this past week as I flew to Wake Forest for class, I felt compelled – almost obligated – to strike up a conversation with the people next to me on the plane. The first person was a well dressed young man from Atlanta, returning home. He was in the music business and wanted nothing more than for the guy beside him to stop asking him questions. When he put his headphones on I took it as a clue that he wanted me to shut up.
The next lady was a thin, gray haired great-grandmother from Indiana. She was headed to North Carolina to see her great-grandson graduate from college. She quickly picked up on the fact that I was a preacher (maybe because I was reading a book with “Preaching” in the title) and shouted a hearty “Amen” in response. No need to share Christ with her, she was gloriously saved. She shared Christ with me.
The last leg of my flight home was far more fruitful. I sat on the back row of the plane; in the special seat reserved for people who enjoy aroma of an overused lavatory. Right before we took off a young man sat beside me eating his chicken with ketchup. Since I too am a refined man I decided to strike up a conversation with him. He is in chiropractic school in Atlanta; a Muslim by birth with a Christian roommate. He had never heard the message of Christ crucified for the sins of the world, even though he had attended a Christian church frequently.
He listened intently and answered every question I had for him about Islamic beliefs. We talked for over an hour; about faith, family, and about my urgent need for a chiropractor.
When our journey was over we thanked each other for our politeness and wished that everyone could discuss faith in such a gentlemanly manner. But the conversation was indicative of the day in which we live. The message of the gospel was simply “interesting” to him and nothing more.
There are at least three lessons to learn from that experience. One, people really do not know the message of the gospel. Two, they are willing to listen. Three, it takes much more than casual conversation to bring someone to faith in Christ. It must be a work of God brought on by the Holy Spirit and our persistent prayers.
Love In Christ,
Pastor Mitch
But this past week as I flew to Wake Forest for class, I felt compelled – almost obligated – to strike up a conversation with the people next to me on the plane. The first person was a well dressed young man from Atlanta, returning home. He was in the music business and wanted nothing more than for the guy beside him to stop asking him questions. When he put his headphones on I took it as a clue that he wanted me to shut up.
The next lady was a thin, gray haired great-grandmother from Indiana. She was headed to North Carolina to see her great-grandson graduate from college. She quickly picked up on the fact that I was a preacher (maybe because I was reading a book with “Preaching” in the title) and shouted a hearty “Amen” in response. No need to share Christ with her, she was gloriously saved. She shared Christ with me.
The last leg of my flight home was far more fruitful. I sat on the back row of the plane; in the special seat reserved for people who enjoy aroma of an overused lavatory. Right before we took off a young man sat beside me eating his chicken with ketchup. Since I too am a refined man I decided to strike up a conversation with him. He is in chiropractic school in Atlanta; a Muslim by birth with a Christian roommate. He had never heard the message of Christ crucified for the sins of the world, even though he had attended a Christian church frequently.
He listened intently and answered every question I had for him about Islamic beliefs. We talked for over an hour; about faith, family, and about my urgent need for a chiropractor.
When our journey was over we thanked each other for our politeness and wished that everyone could discuss faith in such a gentlemanly manner. But the conversation was indicative of the day in which we live. The message of the gospel was simply “interesting” to him and nothing more.
There are at least three lessons to learn from that experience. One, people really do not know the message of the gospel. Two, they are willing to listen. Three, it takes much more than casual conversation to bring someone to faith in Christ. It must be a work of God brought on by the Holy Spirit and our persistent prayers.
Love In Christ,
Pastor Mitch
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