By Claudia Koenig
While on a ministry trip, we stop at a restaurant in the city where we are staying. After we are seated by the hostess, a waiter comes to let us know he will be taking care of our order.
The waiter is a young man. I ask him how he is. He responds that he is wonderful, but he doesn’t look up. I say to him, “Are you sure?” He moves the table coasters and says, “Yeah, I am.” He still does not look at us. He asks us what we would like to drink and says that he will return.
I am so tired I cannot even focus on telling him about Jesus. But, I must because I can sense that he just may be ready. So, I wait for the opportunity to share it with him.
When he returns, I ask him what he does besides working at the restaurant. He shares about his studies, but admits that one course is very challenging, and he may change his major to one that will work with the one on which he is working.
I tell him that he will need help and ask him, “Do you know who can help you?” He looks at me and asks eagerly, “Who?” I tell him, “The Son of God, Jesus. He is the one who loves you. He died for you on the cross, and He wants you to know Him, but you must ask Him. He says, “I will be right back.” And, he leaves.
When he returns, he wants to continue the conversation. I ask him, “Would you like to know the Son of God? Would you like to pray to ask Him to be your Savior and Lord?” He again says, “I will be right back.”
He returns and gets on one knee by our table. He brings his hands together, and we pray. This young man gives his life to JESUS!
Now, his eyes look into mine. They are the deepest, sincerest blue eyes.
He says, “This means so much to me. Thank you. My parents are not religious at all. This means so much to me.”
I ask him if he has a Bible. He says that he doesn’t. He excuses himself and says that he will be right back. I watch him serve the other customers. He is full of joy! He is smiling, looking up, and talking with them. When he returns, I ask him for something with which to write. He gives me a note paper and pen. I write down what Bible to get and where and how to get started. In addition, I give him our contact information.
He comes back and continues to say that he has just moved to this city and has no family here. He is starting his life all over again, trying to establish friendships, and just beginning to get situated in his new life.
We give him some money for a Bible. He says, “Really, this means a lot to me!”
He shakes my hand and thanks us more and more.
“Abba, Father, how worn out I am! I can hardly speak, but You are after the soul and heart of man to know Your Son. Are you not the Majesty on High who looks on man through the cross of Your Son and sends Your love in Him to tell all how much You love them? Abba, speak, we are listening.”
“Jesus, in the lack of strength and energy, You are with me to tell of salvation in You. Is this not the reason why we still have breath to live on this earth, but for others to know You, because you do not want anyone to perish but to be with You?! Messiah, we so love You and are here because You desire to glorify Yourself in the Father and the Father in You. Give glory to Your Name in the souls You pursue.”
“Holy Spirit, in the weakness of my flesh, You are strength to my heart and use even the tiredness to extend salvation to a lost soul. Are you not our Help that Jesus sent in His Name? Can we not call on You in a time of lacking to fill us with Jesus so that You reap the souls around us?! Spirit of God, help us.”
I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. Isaiah 61:10
His glory is great in thy salvation: honour and majesty hast thou laid upon him. Psalm 21:5
Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation. Psalm 38:22
Let all those that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: let such as love thy salvation say continually, The Lord be magnified. Psalm 40:16
For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth. Acts 13:47
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28
And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb. Revelation 7:10
All scripture is from the King James Version.