After I finished speaking at a church one Sunday on how the cross shows that God can redeem our broken dreams and suffering, a guy came up to me wanting to talk. “I haven’t been to church in 26 years,” he said. “I’ve just been through a divorce and a business failure—I have lots of broken dreams. Just this week I said to a friend, ‘If there is a God, why doesn’t He step in to help?’ Then all week I had this feeling I should get to a church service. What you said tonight has really rocked me. It’s like I was meant to be here.”
A few minutes later a couple walked up. “I haven’t been to church in years,” the guy said. “And I’ve never been to church,” said the girl. “But all this week,” the guy said, “we had this strange feeling that we should get to a church service. What you shared tonight was exactly what we needed to hear. It’s like we were meant to be here.”
These experiences, just moments apart, reminded me that God is always working—drawing people to Himself. God’s desire is that everyone should find salvation in Him, and so He draws us to Jesus (John 6:40,44; 1 Timothy 2:3-4). The three people I talked with weren’t at church by their own decision alone—they had been wooed there. If they continue to listen to the Father, they will find Jesus and the eternal life they deeply long for. Jesus said, “Everyone who listens to the Father and learns from him comes to me” (John 6:45).
“God has drawn you here because He loves you,” I told the first guy, before getting a Bible for him. “When you leave here you’ll find that all sorts of distractions will be placed in your way to ignore what happened tonight. Don’t be distracted. God is calling you. Listen to Him and find out who Jesus is.”
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Acts 28:1-14
More:
Read John 12:32 and consider what Jesus said about our future with Him.
Next:
How has God drawn you to follow Jesus? Who is He drawing from among your family and friends these days?
Gary Shultz on November 18, 2014 at 6:00 am
Is this not a blessed thing? God called and you were able to join in the work. Thank you for being where God can use you. We all need to be there, ready to absorb His blessing as He works and we with He.
Sheridan Voysey on November 18, 2014 at 11:42 am
I love it when God does this! Of course, he’s drawing people all the time – we only hear of his actions on occasions like this. But it is so fun to be a part of.
yemiks1 on November 18, 2014 at 4:10 pm
He came to save as many that believe they are sick, to heal the broken hearts and restore lost captives… The draw is always irresistible.
Kathy @ In Quiet Places on November 18, 2014 at 4:20 pm
I know a lot of people that are praying for this Drawing to happen and to see God’s light in all the darkness and evil happening around us, I think this is evidence that His Light is drawing people!
Winn Collier on November 29, 2014 at 4:34 pm
those are beautiful moments, Sheridan. Thank you for sharing them. I hope you hold them with you and allow them to encourage you.