Reflections of Today (Monday)

Just a quick note to share something that happened today.

I'm in Ft Lauderdale,FL for a 'trucking' trade show. While here I ran into some vendors and they insisted on taking me to dinner. I have to admit it was nice to receive that treatment. We went to a very nice trendy Chinese restaurant where the prices were through the roof. It wasn't anyplace that I'd ever be able to go if I were picking up the check. But... it was their choice and I guess it was their way of letting me know that they appreciated my business. They're nice people, told lot's of great stories and we had a good time.

They offered to buy me 'umbrella drinks' and bottles of wine, after dinner cocktails, the usual routines. I was able to resist their offers and drank tea and water instead. Admittedly it was tempting but I knew that I had to be resolute. All around us were people who were throwing down the drinks and then eating this extravagantly prepared food without any regard for just how good it was. After a couple of hours the dinner came to conclusion. I shook hands all around and headed off into the Florida night for the two-block walk back to my hotel.

As I stepped onto the sidewalk off the property of the hotel restaurant where I was, a guy pulled up next to me in a golf cart and offered me a ride. He couldn't go to my hotel but he could take me about 1/2 to my destination. As soon as I set down he said "I like that fish you've got there." It took me about 5 seconds to realize he was talking about my necklace.

Now for those of you who know me, you know that I wear the ichtus around my neck just about all the time. Today was no exception and there it was outside my shirt proudly displayed. We struck up a conversation as we drove. We got to the end of the line for him and he just pulled over and turned off the golf cart. We sat there for a little while sharing our stories and talking about how good it was to serve God. He was in his mid-30's, married and he and his wife led 'Bible Cells' in their home. As it turned out, we had a lot in common and we really enjoyed the fellowship of one another as we sat there in the warm evening air. We shared a handshake and offered God's blessings to one another and then I stepped out of the cart and headed down the street.

Two things occurred to me within 3 steps. Both were about my testimony. First, with respect to the insistent offers of alcohol with dinner; I was among unbelievers. They had to have seen the fish, they have to know what it means. I mean, who doesn't? What would my testimony have been had I accepted their offer and become drunk just like every other person in that restaurant? Had I accepted their well-intended offer, I would have become just another person who wore a piece of religious jewelry but lived a life of worldliness. I would have testified to them that I was just like them and that Christians are no different than the non-Christians. I'd have been just another goat in their eyes.

Second, had I accepted their offers and then stumbled off into the night and into the golf cart of that new and passionate Christian, what testimony would I have shared with him? I don't need to belabor this point for you to 'catch my drift.' it wouldn't have been good and I certainly could have thrown a stumbling block into his path. But that's NOT what happened.

Instead, by my choices in the world today, God was glorified. I'm not saying that my not drinking in the presence of the unredeemed glorified God, though I suppose it might have. Only God knows what may come of that. What I'm talking about was in the golf cart. Two guys talking about how good and powerful and loving God is. Two guys sharing the stories of where they came from and how far God has carried us. Two guys in a golf cart with tears streaming down their faces because God is SO good. That is giving glory to God.

And I am so happy that I was there, in that moment to share that with this man of God. It was a great evening. Thank you God.

Love You!
Carl