Sometimes a writer needs a prompt to write. We have a million things to say but until we have that prompt, we just can't seem to get started. One of my dear friends, who also is a blog writer, recently advised me to start jotting down ideas when they come to mind so I've been trying to do that. Another dear friend knew about this advice and was in our Sunday School class this week when I shared a story. She promptly leaned over and said, "Hey, that's a write down!" So if this post strikes a note with you, if it makes you think...then you have my friends Barbara and Missy to thank!
The setting for tonight's story is the Fall of 1988 in Charlotte, NC. Jeff and I had been dating for couple of months and I was invited by a mutual friend to visit Charlotte for Thanksgiving break (note: Jeff was from Charlotte, too). Jeff introduced me to his family and several of his friends and our holiday was going beautifully. Sunday came and we went to his home church, Central Church of God. Now, Jeff loved his pastor, Loran Livingston.
That's all I had heard about...my man Loran...Loran this, Loran that... Loran Livingston was the first pastor that Jeff had ever heard who was REAL. He was interesting and straight to the point. For that reason, Jeff looked up to him and considered him to be a mentor.
On campus (Lee), Loran Livingston was a legend. He was the pastor of one of the largest and fastest growing churches in the Church of God. He was an amazing preacher and after hearing just one of his sermons, I had to agree that he was truly one of a kind.
So when the service ended that morning and Jeff said to me, "Hey, come on, I want to introduce you to my pastor", I naturally felt proud that he would consider me worthy of meeting his mentor. I mean, things were getting pretty serious but this would be a big step. I was thrilled!
As we made our way across the sanctuary to where Loran was standing, my heart swelled. This was like taking our relationship to the next level. We had to wait for a couple of others to finish their conversations with him but finally we were standing face to face with (as Jeff liked to refer to him) the man, Loran!
Pastor Livingston embraced Jeff right away and welcomed him home. After a little small chat about how school was going and what was new in his life, Jeff turned to me and said to Loran, "Pastor, let me introduce you to Libby, she's Tina's friend..." And I couldn't tell you what he said after that...no, my mind was stuck on, "Libby, she's Tina's friend...". I mean, I WAS Tina's friend...but that wasn't the way I thought I would be introduced. What I expected was, "my girlfriend" or even "my new friend"...but to be introduced as "Tina's friend", well it told me that he wasn't willing to commit to anything with me.
It hurt and even though he didn't mean it that way, it spoke volumes to me. A non-committal introduction.
I wonder how often I have done the same thing to Jesus. I have the perfect opportunity to introduce Him to my friend as the love of my lfe...yet I very non-chalantly introduce Him as an acquaintance. I tell people about Him...just not about what He means to me.
See, He is my everything, but sometimes I don't tell people that...because I don't want to seem like I'm a fanatic...I don't want them to think I'm a Jesus Freak. But I am!
Shortly after that encounter Jeff declared his love for me. Once he realized how much it hurt for him to not introduce me as his girlfriend, he began to seriously consider where he wanted our relationship to go. I've had to do the same with Jesus. I'm not ashamed of Him. I want to spend eternity with Him and I don't care who knows it! No, wait...yes I do. I do care! I want everyone to know it. I want to introduce Him to everyone I meet. It's what I live for. I love Him and I want everyone to know. So, let me introduce you to the love of my life, the Savior of the world, the one who gave His life for me. Let me introduce you to Jesus Christ! I can think of no higher honor!
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