…But in your hearts regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you… 1 Peter 3:15
BE PREPARED Scout motto since 1907
I am a fan of elevators but not for the same reasons as someone with a leg injury or a seventh grade boy after eating his favorite musical meal! I love elevators because it gives me a chance to talk to people without them diving into the nearest holly bush or dumpster. People who do not even know me seem to have a similar reaction, oh well.
I imagine my elevator ambush like a BOXED CANYON in the old westerns: “There ain’t no way out of this canyon Billy, give up and become a Christian or I’ll blind you with my smile and fill your ears full of churchy words!” If all goes well I will be riding into the sunset with another soul notched on the handle of my spiritual gun.
Let me share a recent elevator story that proves you must BE PREPARED. A friend and I had just left a hospital visit and were boarding the parking deck elevator on the ground floor and to my sadness the elevator was empty, what a waste of a good ambush. The elevator stopped on the next floor and a gentleman stepped inside. Things were looking up. I attempted to engage the man in some witty chatter but he was no stranger to elevator ambushes. He steeled himself and with the coldest of stares looked up at the light indicating the level and ignored us! The parking deck only had 4 levels and I would never be able to break him down on such a short ride. Actually, I am not sure a ride to the top of the Sears Tower would not be enough to get this tough Hombre to speak.
Fortunately on the very next floor a well dressed lady with a kind smile got on the elevator. As the door began to close I thought, “I’ll show this guy what polite conversation sounds like.” I spoke to the lady and she spoke back. Take that I thought as I watched the man in my peripheral vision. And just that quickly, the doors opened on the next level and the lady stepped past us to exit. Here was my chance! I shot the lady a blinding smile and hit her with a churchy phrase; “have a nice day” I said, all along hoping the man on the elevator would catch some of my spiritual shrapnel. As the door was closing, the lady looked back at me and said, “I have to go find a hospice care organization”. I was stunned to silence. The door closed and she was gone.
I kept thinking about the fact that I had recent experience with hospice. They helped my family through the difficult days of my father’s illness and death. How Christ had comforted me in the most difficult time of my life. How the kindness of Christians who were willing to weep with us and rejoice with us was so important. I needed to tell her that a relationship with Jesus was ultimately how one must BE PREPARED. When I realized the first man’s desire to be left alone I should have done just that and kindly I might add. I should have been more observant to the lady who was in need of hope. I failed.
Our failures are just that, ours. The Lord has the ability to reach into that person’s life. He has the power to affect the life of the other man also. I have no doubt about God’s ability to work and minister to all. He cannot fail! I am just sad that I was told to BE PREPARED and I wasn’t. Next time I will BE PREPARED. I thank the Lord for next times and elevators.
