Lines in the Water
by Dan Betzer
I was approached by a big burly guy in our church service last Sunday night (yes, Virginia, we have Sunday night services and always will). He said, "I just wanted to tell you something. I have been quite successful in business, but now, in my late 50’s, life seems meaningless to me."
He continued, "Eight months ago, cutting across your church parking lot on a Sunday morning about 7:30, I saw people there. I followed them inside just out of intrigue. I found out they were coming to your Sunday School class which started at 8:00. I was given some coffee and doughnuts and everybody welcomed me like a long lost cousin. That morning, you started an eight-month-long series on the book of Revelation. I have never missed a service in this church since! And I’ve given my life to Christ."
This guy thrilled my heart. I thought, what if we did not have Sunday School? What if we followed the course of those who say, "Well it’s just too much work" and canceled the whole thing? Or Sunday nights; what about all of those people from mainline and Roman Catholic churches–even local synagogues–who come to our church because it is one of the few open on Sunday nights? What about the guy healed from Parkinson’s disease on a recent Sunday night? What if we did not have Sunday night services? What would have happened to him?
As an old fisherman, I know that the more lines that you have in the water, the more fish you catch. It seems like too many saints have their rods and reels in the closet.
