“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” Matthew 16:24-26.
I will never forget the day a gentleman wandered in my office well after services ended. I was preparing for an evening Bible Study and working on my papers for school when this gentleman came to my door and said, “I’m looking to attend a worship service.” It was well past 1:00 and the services were complete for the day. I gave him some information about our services and invited him to come next Sunday. With that he continued to walk into my office and sit down in a chair on the other side of my desk. He continued to share his story with me as if he knew me all his life. For over an hour this gentleman poured out his story to me, a complete stranger. A stranger that was willing to listen. I put my agenda and my plans for that moment on hold and was available to simply listen and invited him to share his heart.