Someone Needs You

It is a memory that will forever be in my thoughts. The phone call came in the middle of the night (you’ve had it happen to you). As you well know, calls that come in the wee hours are typically not good. This was one of those calls. 

This young Christian was threatening to take his life, and he wouldn’t talk to anyone but his preacher. When I arrived at his place, he was lying on the bed in only a pair of gym shorts and he was holding a large knife above his head. I asked if it would be okay for me to sit down. He said, “Sure, I don’t care.” I asked if he wanted to talk. He spilled his guts. Told me a sad story. He felt as though his life was worthless.

Being a young preacher, it was difficult to know what to say. We talked about his childhood and high school years. He told me about some good times in his life. We discussed at length the good days.

He laid the knife down, eased his tone, and even flashed a smile. We talked some more, and he laughed. He asked me if I would say a prayer. We prayed. He said, “I’m okay, can I call you tomorrow?” We talked every day for a while. He became involved in the life of the Church. Even though it’s been thirty-five years, that encounter is clear in my mind.

I went home and didn’t sleep. I thanked God for the opportunity to help and prayed that I hadn’t messed the young man up.

There have been similar experiences through the years that serve as clear reminders that there are people in the Church who need the preacher.

Someone needs you. They might need you tonight. Truth is, there are many someone’s who need you. You are vital to Kingdom work. Thank you for being a preacher of the Gospel and a servant of God!