The Everyday Club

8/26/10 Victor, about 45
After work today I picked up Tony, a church brother, and we went out to be like the Kings servants in Jesus' parable that were to "Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find."  (Matthew 22:9) We went to a nearby park and spoke with many people including several men out drinking beer in the empty bleachers. This group included a man named Victor, his two friends, and an ice cream vender who stopped by. We began sharing the gospel in a friendly but earnest conversational style. After five minutes the ice cream vendor left to go sell more ice cream; five minutes later another friend left to go use the bathroom; and five minutes later the last friend left us and his beer to go stand in the sunlight because he felt cold in the shade. Were these excuses on the same lame level as of those invited guests in Jesus' wedding banquet parable? I think so. People will always be able to find excuses to ignore God's call on their life. Tony and I could have been discouraged by the three who left. But we were encouraged by the one who stayed. Though Victor believes like so many that he can earn God's heavenly favor, he did stay and he is seeking God, and "He rewards those who earnestly seek Him."  (Hebrews 11:6)