The Best Twenty Years!

Last week I had the opportunity to meet a man I had heard of but never met. He is in the construction industry – – an industry that I have a lot to do with right now.

For several minutes we talked about the construction project. When that was complete, he changed the subject. He knew I was a pastor and wanted wanted to know how long I had been preaching.

I explained to him that I’ve been a pastor in the church I now serve for 27 years but that I have been preaching and serving as pastor since God called me to preach at age 17.

At that point, we went from business to joyful discussion about the Lord. He told me about his church. This man is Hispanic and he described how his is a bi-lingual church.

His eyes lit up as he spoke about his church and about our Lord. He described to me how he had had the privilege of helping build the church building they now worship in – – a building for 950 people.

Then he came to the heart of what he wanted to say. He described how he had been in that church for 20 years. I got the impression that this is the only church he’s ever been a part of, that 20 years ago was when he came to know Christ and follow Him completely.

He said something like this, “I have been in the church for 20 years.” Then, he paused for a long time and his eyes lit up more than ever. With a huge smile on his face, he exclaimed, “the best 20 years!”

When I left I couldn’t help but think what a strong, positive testimony that he has about the power of God to change lives and to bless us with His presence.

The man was telling me that living in the world and as part of the world is as nothing compared to living with Jesus.

We all need a short, concise way to tell about the hope that we have in Christ Jesus.

Simon Peter told us to always be ready to give an answer for the reason for the hope we have in Christ Jesus (1 Peter 3:15).

This man communicated very clearly the hope he has in Christ. Knowing Christ for the last 20 years has been the best 20 years of his life.

What do you say about Jesus? How are you communicating the hope you have in the Lord Jesus?

Let us be a people who share with others the hope we have in Christ and the reason for it.

I have the privilege of writing a devotional every day and sending it out to people across the country. If you would like to be a part of that list, you can sign up at WaylonBailey.com or in the box below.


 

 

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