The young man sitting next to me in the airport seemed awfully worried. His face reflected the weight of his worry. After some time, I broke the ice. “How are you doing?” I asked him. I could not expect the flood of conversation that followed. It seemed this young man’s life was at a serious crossroads and the gravity of this trip home seemed too much for him to bear.
I asked him if he ever considered talking to his pastor or someone else at church about it. He let me know he no longer belonged to a church and did not have a pastor. “I grew tired of everyone’s judging me because I do not live like they do” was his reason. After talking with him a bit more, I finally told him what I did for a living. I also told him that even though I am a pastor, I am not his judge.
We prayed; talked some more, and after a time this young man seemed much more at ease. When it came time to board the plane, he thanked me for listening and praying with him. I never saw this young man again, but I feel that he felt God’s peace and presence.
When confronted by the faith of Cornelius and his family, Peter exclaimed “God shows no partiality.” Indeed, all who come to Christ for his mercy and grace receive it. Our part is to do as Peter did, simply speak the truth in love.
O Lord, bless those who speak your Word, so that others may come to know the power of your love. Amen.
In the Beginning 