"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear." {1 Peter 3:15}
In December of the year 2000, we were returning to Oregon after spending the holidays with my mother near San Luis Obispo, CA., where I lived during my childhood. We boarded the Amtrack coach in San Luis Obispo, but, because of the crowds, I was unable to sit with my family. At first, the conductor placed me next to a man about ten rows behind my family, promising that later, he would try to move me closer to them. But only five minutes passed before he returned and had me move to a seat that was only two rows behind the family, and next to a woman.
You may have experienced a similar circumstance, but have you ever sat down beside a complete stranger and been immediately able to enter into a conversation with that person, as though you had known him/her for a long time? So it was with this woman, whose name, I discovered, was Jan. She was on her way to Oregon for a vacation visit with a friend.
We sat together for about four hours, and during that time, the talk turned to religion. When she learned that I was a preacher, she had several questions and comments. She seemed to be very interested in spiritual matters, though she didn't know much about the Bible or how to study it (something you don't often hear from a total stranger). Before the conversation ended, I promised to send her some material that would not only help her to study God's Word, but also teach her the truth about which God desires for all souls to have knowledge; as it is written, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4)
As soon as we arrived home, I began to "work" on a packet for Jan. I mailed it during the first part of January 2001. So many times, one enters into these types of conversations, sends off materials, and never hears another word from the person. I did not hear from her right away, and in fact, really didn't expect to because of how much time had elapsed. But then, about the middle of February, I received the following note:
Dear Dennis,
What a nice surprise to get your letter when I returned home from Oregon. (I forgot to mention that she was from Yucaipa, CA.) It was good to hear from you. In the train you answered a lot of questions I had about religion and the Bible. I really appreciated that. I tend to lead a very busy life that doesn't leave much time for Bible reading. Sometimes I wonder why that is? There seems to be so much "noise" (a favorite expression of mine) in life today. I did read 2 Timothy 2:15 and 2 Peter 3:17-18. I must admit I haven't read the other scriptures you mentioned but I will. Please let me know about the group in Calamesa.
Your friend,
Jan
By coincidence, a family here is from that area of California, so I showed them the note, and the address on the envelope. By yet another "coincidence," the mother of one of our members, who is also a member of the church, lived on the same street! The daughter immediately called her mother about Jan; and I wrote Jan about the mother. In a short period of time, they begin to meet together. It wasn't long before they, along with three others and the preacher, began to study the Bible. During that time, I received a couple of letters that asked questions, and I responded to them. I also checked with the member here regarding her mother and Jan to ask how the Bible studies were progressing.
Last December, after we arrived home from a Sunday morning service, the phone rang. It was Jan, and she had just obeyed the gospel and been baptized into Christ! I was so happy I was almost speechless! Not long after, I received the following note:
Dear Dennis,
Being baptized was like being born again and has changed my thinking dramatically. I look up every scripture that's mentioned. How blessed we all are to have the Bible.
As Ever,
Jan
Not one of us will ever know the extent of our influence. How important it is then, to "be ready always to give an answer." You just can't know whether the "stranger" you meet for a moment here, might in eternity, turn out to be a "brother" or "sister." That is why it is so important to heed the following scriptures:
"Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15)
"Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly ...Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man." (Colossians 3:16; 4:5-6)
"I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor." {1 Corinthians 3:6-8}
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?.." (Romans 10:13,14)
What "precious seed" are you sowing? What "fruit" are you reaping? Let us be always mindful of the opportunities that come our way; that we "see" them, and take advantage of them. (cf. Luke 10:25-37)
Finally, as it is written: "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we~faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. {Galatians 6:7-10}