* https://goingtojesus.com/gtj_books_solomon.html?tname=solomon00
This resonated in my heart.
Many years ago, probably 1993, I worked at a restaurant when I was first starting to seek the Lord. I was partially in Xty and hadn’t yet connected with either Gary or Pastor John’s work. But I was under conviction for my sins, and was trying to live right, as a “Christian”, and I gave some advice to a younger co-worker (in his 20’s) who drank too much alcohol. As I vaguely recall, I merely told him that he ought to take a look at how much he drinks, because it could get out of hand. It wasn’t a reproof, per se, nor a judgment; just some moral encouragement and a suggestion, which came from a heart that was being changed by Jesus, and I felt compelled to tell him that for his own good. He took the suggestion humbly but little did I know that it would actually have a huge impact on his life.
I never saw him again after I moved on to another job, until at least 15 years later. I ran into him at a copy store. He enthusiastically greeted me, after we recognized one another, and immediately told me that my admonishment had changed his life forever. He stopped drinking, went to AA meetings, found a girlfriend, got married and had a successful job in Real Estate. He was indebted to me for calling him out for his fondness for drinking because it convicted him and he made a U-turn in his life. We didn’t discuss God or faith at the time, so that wasn’t part of the equation. But it was amazing that I made that impression on him, by simply pointing out his addiction! He thanked me and went on his way. I gained his lifelong respect for my sincere words, which were only a mild rebuke, if that.
Thankful to have been used by God, even before I had the Spirit inside.
Brad
