I am sure that every single person here (I hope anyways) has a tale or ten about tragedy or inconvenience in their lives which resulted in a greater good happening along the way. I have stories myself, but for some reason I wanted to share this one. It is not even mine but rather from a Reasons to Believe newsletter. I am a Hugh Ross (Hugh -not huge) fan and will be seeing him speak when he comes to Red Mountain Christian church here in Mesa on the 20th and 21st.
Dear Randy
(I know... I know... he didn't personally type this out to me.)
If you've been involved with Reasons To Believe for any length of time, you're familiar with one of my theme verses,
1 Peter 3:15: "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."
Until a few weeks ago I'd almost forgotten its context--Peter's message on how to endure suffering (for doing good). A bit of "suffering" is the very thing God used to open a door for me. Although my pain didn't come from "doing good" (rather, from a quick, awkward movement as I bent over to retrieve something from my briefcase), at least I can tell you some good came of it.
On my way to participate in outreach events in DC (look for a report in this month's Reasons newsletter), I tweaked my back. The pain was so severe I could barely make my way to the gate, and sitting felt even worse. My mind raced. How will I survive several hours on a crowded airplane?
Then a second thought flew in and landed. God is doing something here.
Romans 8:28 flashed through my mind, the promise that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him. And I wondered what He might have in store.
At this point you're probably thinking, Here comes another Hugh-Ross-on-a-plane story. I won't deny it--it is one. But don't let this stop you from reading on.
Right away the airline's check-in staff noticed my struggle and expressed concern. They said if I had no checked bags and could leave immediately, they'd put me on a flight that was far from full (unlike the one I was booked on). That way I could stand and move around as needed after take-off. I gratefully accepted their offer and thanked God for this help.
After watching my movements on the plane for about an hour, the young man seated across the aisle from me couldn't help but comment, "Wherever you're going, it must be very important to you. If I were hurting that badly, I would've gone back home and crawled into bed." You can imagine where that opening led.
In the conversation that followed he heard where I was headed and why. He learned about the other scholars on my team, the topics they planned to address, and the many events our DC chapter had arranged for us--talks at Morgan State, Johns Hopkins, George Mason, American University, Georgetown University, C. S. Lewis Institute, and a half dozen churches or more.
He expressed great interest and eventually told me he was a physicist and Stanford grad. Our meeting reminded him of a favorite professor, a Christian. Apparently this professor spoke and wrote about the interface between science and faith. My new friend couldn't recall the man's name in that moment, but he did acknowledge, "I think it's time I give some attention to the issues we talked about."
This divine encounter didn't take away my back pain, but it certainly made the pain worthwhile. And it reaffirmed my conviction that if we're ready and willing to give reasons for the hope we have, one way or another God will bring us to people who are ready and willing to ask questions.
Can I give you something to think over today?
What is the airplane in your life? Where has God placed you to give hope? Is it your school, your place of employment, your church? Maybe it is simply in the midst of your family and friends. Can I encourage you today to be ready, to stay alert, and most of all to be willing?
Hugh Ross
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