I stopped at Lowe’s to get some light bulbs and while there I asked a store employee for help. While we were talking, a man standing nearby made a suggestion. A moment later this same man said to me, “Aren’t you a preacher?”

I said “yes” and he gave me a big bear hug.

He told me he had attended our church when we were still downtown. So I asked him where he attended church now and he admitted he had gotten out of the habit. During our conversation he mentioned some bad experiences he’d had over the years at other churches. He quickly affirmed that he liked me…because I had been here a long time and must be an ok guy to stay in one place that long.

Now he worshiped God at home watching TV. He would always agree with me when I said going to church with God’s people was good for us and it was something we’re supposed to do, but he always found a way to avoid making a commitment to attend. He kept saying he was ok because he was still ok with God…whatever that means.

I told him about our services and what time they started. I invited him to come Sunday and he said he might…while giving the impression he probably wouldn’t. Our conversation ended and he started to walk away. I called out to him, asking what time did I say our services started. He answered 10:30 and smiled as he walked away.

There are a lot of religious and spiritual people who are not committed to Jesus Christ. There are a lot of people who know they need to attend worship but don’t do it. There are a lot of people who’ve attended church and didn’t like the experience very much.

There are a lot of people whom we need to keep inviting…no matter how they respond. We are not responsible for how they respond…but we are responsible for our inviting them. Opportunities to talk with people are all around us if we look for them and then seize the moment. I want to challenge you to seize the moment this week and talk with people…and invited them to church. It might even happen at Lowe’s.

Pastor Steve Hogg