Mark 10:17-22

How many times have you had someone run up to you, fall on their knees, and ask you, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Well, that happened to Jesus (Mark 10:17-22), but it hasn't quite happened to me yet. Still, today was about as close as they come.

There was a Norwegian who came in to the hospital today, and she didn't speak much Spanish. I was once again called to help. Her situation wasn't bad, and was treated fairly quickly. Actually, the doctor who saw her spoke very good English (I was pleasantly surprised), so i didn't need to do much.

We were talking a little while before she got in to see the doctor, and the topic came up of why I am here. I told her I am here to serve, to learn, and to have an adventure--three things God created me for. She grabbed onto that and asked me, "So, are you one of those people who goes to church?" "Yes, certainly." "If you don't mind me asking, why do you go to church?" I kinda gave a small answer, because then we were called in to see the doctor. But that wasn't the end of things.

After we had received her medicine and paid her bill, she brought the topic back up. She was curious. "Why do you go to church?" "Why are you a Christian?" "You seem to be pretty logical; do you feel Christianity is logical?" "How do you know Christianity is true?" "Do you think I'm a bad person?" And more. I was able to explain to her what Christianity is all about, why we need to have a savior, why Christianity makes sense, how we were all sinners in need of repentance, how I am no "better" of a person than she, that we both were in the same family once: destined for everlasting punishment as payment for our sins, but the difference is that I have accepted God's free gift of forgiveness, of payment for my sins, and of and of adoption into his family. We ended up talking for about an hour simply about her questions. It was amazing to be able to talk to someone so bluntly and openly about exactly what I believe, and what she needs to believe to inherit eternal life.

In Mark 10:22, the man who came to Jesus went away sad because he was not willing to give up what he felt was making him happy and follow Jesus. My story, as well, did not end in a commitment to follow Christ. She went away with many of her questions answered, and also my email address in case she were to have any more questions. I will continue to pray for her, and I hope you will too. Perhaps something we talked about today will begin to sink in. She said she had never talked to anyone like me, someone who could articulate his faith and could answer some of her many questions. I was reminded of the words in 1 Peter 3:15, "Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have."