October 3

”From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it…”

(Matthew 11:12 NIV)

We sat in the guest house' lovely little lounge. The room was furnished with delicate silk-clad style furniture. This day we were, like all other days gathered for morning devotions, both boarding house guests and staff. It was mostly older women present, those who were living at the boarding house at that time, and we had just begun our devotions. In the midst of the stillness during the first prayer, one of the high double doors yanked open. In stepped the caretaker with noise and bravado. He was a large man, almost two meters tall (6’6”), and he walked with heavy, purposeful steps straight through the room, and almost knocked over the little table that stood in the middle of the room. Heavily, noisily and with abandon he threw himself down in the rococo sofa at the back of the room and exclaimed with an agitated voice: I must be saved!

We had missed him this morning, for he would always be present at the morning devotions. Now we understood the context. Morning after morning he had sat there and listened to the gospel that a man can have a new life, a new start with Jesus. This morning he had reached a critical point. Either he must stay away from morning prayers for good, or he should investigate himself whether it was true - the things that we talked about.

At first he tried to stay away, but when he realized he couldn’t, he rushed in to claim salvation. And the caretaker was saved that morning, in the midst of the prim and proper little ladies and all the stylish furniture. For Jesus promises: "... anyone who comes to me I will not turn away" (John 6:37)

Prayer

Lord, thank You for meeting people and offering salvation even today. Help me to continue to share this with all who are willing to listen.