Are You A Living Bible?

In His Name Devotionals
ARE YOU A LIVING BIBLE?

His name was John. His hair was wild, he wore an old, worn out T-shirt, faded jeans and well used tennis shoes. This was literally his wardrobe through four years of college. However, he was brilliant, a little esoteric, but very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus was a nice, well-dressed, very conservative church. The church wanted to develop a student ministry, but didn't know how.

One day John decided to attend. He walked in with his wild hair, jeans, T-shirt, and tennis shoes. The service had already begun, so he started down the middle aisle searching for a seat.

The church was packed and John can't find a seat. By now people in the audience were a bit uncomfortable, but no one said anything.

John got closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realized there were no seats, he just sat down on the carpet.

Although perfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, such a thing had never happened in this church!

By now people were uptight, and the air was thick. About this time, the minister noticed that from the back of the church, a man was slowly making his way down the middle aisle, toward John. This man turned out to be a deacon who was in his eighties, had silver-gray hair, and who always wore a three-piece suit. The old deacon was a godly man, elegant and dignified, and very courtly. He walked with a cane and, as he headed toward John, everyone was thinking to themselves that one really couldn't blame him for what he was about to do. After all, how could a man of his age and his background be expected to understand some college kid, sitting on the floor?

It took a long time for the old deacon to reach John. The congregation was utterly silent except for the clicking of the old man's cane. All eyes were focused on him. No one made a sound. You couldn't even hear anyone in the congregation breathing. The minister paused in the preaching his sermon until the old deacon could finish what everyone believed was necessary.

Then, as the audience watched in amazement, the old deacon dropped his cane to the floor. With great difficulty, but with no hesitation, he lowered himself and sat down next to John, so he wouldn't have to worship alone.

Everyone choked up with emotion. Not a dry eye in the place. When the minister regained himself, he said, "What I'm about to preach, no one here will remember. What we have just seen, none us will ever forget! We need to be careful how we live. We might be the only Bible some people will ever read."