Nov 13, 2018
Giving God Control — Dave’s story
Sometimes first impressions of people and their responses can seem off-putting. A slight pushback, an abrupt, or even a reserved reply can cause us to withdraw, or think that people aren’t interested in talking about anything to do with God. I’ve found time and time again that people just need us to stick with them.
Here’s a recent story of how I stuck with someone that responded to a FB post and, we started chatting through FB Messenger. I went with that little Holy Spirit nudge to keep reaching out. I’m so glad I did …
Dave* was suspicious yet curious enough to say hi. He knew God, he grew up knowing God was there, and knowing about Jesus. God had control of his life, or so he thought...
He didn’t have a Bible and was suspicious of any online Bible links I was trying to send him, so I called a local church and made arrangements so he could collect one from the church office and, then I prayed for him.
Dave wasn’t connected to a church and didn’t want to be. Two weeks went by and, he had not been to collect the Bible; so I reached out again and asked how he was doing.
“I’m not doing good at all….Just don’t feel safe….Thank you for your prayers I know God is great he’s always looking out for me but I feel like I sin too much. Why would he still look out for me I’m doing everything wrong, he knows it, I know it sometimes I think this is my choice n I choose to do wrong so I can’t talk to him knowing we both know I choose to do wrong. Now my life is messed up n I’m carrying on right or wrong n I feel like I can’t talk to him to protect me in the wrong things I do”.
As we chatted more, I asked if he had ever invited God’s spirit to live inside of him. His answer was “no”.
My response: “Oh Dave, you will notice so much difference if you tell God you want him living inside of you. He will change and rock your world in a way that you have never known before. When you have the spirit of God living inside of you his truth permeates every part of your being, he guides you, he speaks to you, he directs you, he gives you strength even when you are weak. Do you think you would like to ask God to come into your life, to tell him you are sorry you’ve tried living life without him and ask him to be your boss?”
His answer was “yes” and as a result, I lead him in a prayer to do just that.
Dave’s comment afterwards was “I felt like my spirit jumped out when saying this prayer n I’m a grown man but for me to cry like that I know this prayer is powerful”.
I started to chat to him about church again, and talk through what would work for him as he’s very shy. As part of the encouragement I then sent him the video ‘Ransom Note’ — this is Lecrae’s story.
His response was “Wow my name is Dave n I’ve been ransomed that was inspiring me to go to these groups u talk about…….Everything Lecrae’s been through is similar to what I’ve been through but more I can relate but he stopped at 19 I just turned 30 n i feel like it’s now or never I been through sooo much in my life too much for any human to handle n I’m still holding on”.
I’m now exploring some options for church with Dave. It’s a whole new journey for him now he’s given God control and asking Jesus to be boss of his life.
Be sensitive to pursue conversation a little further. It all started with an offer to pray. I typed out and spoke out loud what I prayed. When Dave hadn’t done what he said he would do I followed him up, and simply asked a question; “are you ok?”. It’s amazing what a simple question can do.
Sometimes we can feel like we are spamming our friends, being annoying, or overdoing it. Is there someone you need to ‘stick with’ until the breakthrough comes?
