It was just getting dark in the city, and the streetlights
had already turned on. Two strangers
approached each other on the deserted sidewalk.
Both were from less populated parts of the country where people often
greet strangers, but their time spent in the crowded city had made that effort
to be friendly seem futile, and on a lonely sidewalk it could even seem
intimidating. They had learned to avert
the eyes, to look down at the sidewalk or down the block past the other. They were part of a culture defined by
earbuds, not colored a discreet black but a loud white, proclaiming “I’m
listening to my playlist, don’t intrude upon my own private world!”
But this was an unusual encounter. These strangers were actually brothers, and
they didn’t even know it. Would urban
social mores dictate that they would never meet? Would they pass by each other on their way
home from work without ever meeting and knowing the encouragement and
connection that only family can give?
It’s understandable.
Most of us, especially urbanites, pass by a lot of people in our day and
there is no way we can interact with everyone.
But can’t we take time out of our busy schedule once in a while to reach
out to a stranger and see what might happen?
I’m glad I did. I met
Eric, a deacon at another church near mine.
We share the same faith, the same mission, the same passion for God’s
work in our neighborhood. We have the
same heavenly Father and we are part of the same family. Spiritually speaking, we really are brothers,
though we had just met for the first time.
I began our conversation by basically asking Eric about his
story. “How have you arrived at your
current spiritual beliefs?” It’s a great
question to ask anyone if they have the time to answer, a great way to get to
know unbelievers and a great way to discover other believers all around us.
Unfortunately, as I’ve been asking this question on the
streets, I’ve learned that Jesus’ people are relatively few and far between. Meeting
and learning about the passion and work of other believers and churches in our
neighborhood is a special joy, for as Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful but
the laborers are few.” My only regret is
I wish I had thought to pray with Eric, for his family, his church, our
neighborhood: to “pray to the Lord of the harvest that He will send (and
encourage) laborers in His harvest”.
Well Eric – brother - if you read this, I’m praying for you
now!
PS - Thank you Eric for allowing me to record our
conversation. It can be seen HERE
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