19 comments

Paula Hendricks

Dinner with Two Atheists Over Chicken Souvlaki

Posted on 06.24.12 by Paula Hendricks | Twitter: @PaulaWrites678

Last night, while Jenny Salt was speaking at The Gospel Coalition 2012 Women’s Conference, I was having dinner a mile away at a Greek restaurant with two atheists. Not exactly how I intended to spend the evening, but since when is life with God not adventurous?

It happened like this. After walking over a mile in the humid Florida heat, I walked up to the bar to pick up my carry-out order. While paying for my Chicken Souvlaki, I took a seat to give my feet a break and enjoy a brief air-conditioned respite.

I struck up a friendly conversation with the woman next to me, and then her friend joined us, commenting on how “fortunate” she looked tonight. I liked them. Their accents were conspicuous, and I learned they were from southern France. When I asked what brought them to the United States, the latecomer’s honest reply was, “Lust.” When she asked why I was here, I told her I was attending a women’s conference on the Gospel, and did she know what the Gospel was? She laughed and let me know “We’re both atheists.”

And that’s how I came to miss Jenny Salt’s message. I wish I could report that our conversation went splendidly, but if it had been a soccer game, they would’ve creamed me four to zero. When I asked who they historically thought Jesus was, the latecomer assumed a frontal attack, asking me questions ranging from when Israel became a nation to the history of the translation of the Bible to the crusades to the goddess Isis and her similarities to the Virgin Mary.

I hailed a taxi back to The Hilton, hurried and heavy-hearted, just as Nancy Leigh DeMoss was beginning her message on Jesus’ transfiguration. You know the story—the night Jesus was transfigured from the inside-out and His glory spilled out so even his clothes shone bright as lightning.

And then, with the thinnest of veils between Him and Heaven, Jesus chose to go back down the mountain to the morass of human need. He could’ve avoided the cross, but he didn’t. And I thought about this Lamb of God who spread His arms wide and spilled His lifeblood for me and Beatriz and Louise and anyone who would come to Him and believe. And I prayed that He would reveal Himself to them before it was too late.  Because:

“. . . the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 Cor. 4:4).

I thought of them again this morning when D.A. Carson said, "Hell is not filled with people who are deeply sorry for their sins, but those who still shake their puny fists at God." And again I prayed for Beatriz and Louise. Because sometimes I think God has me interact with unbelievers not so much because I’m able to change their minds, but so that I will pray for them by name over and over again.

How about you? What adventures has God taken you on recently? Soon we will see Jesus’ glory-filled face and we will want to have taken as many with us as possible!

Comments

  1. I know that's why God has people intrude on my life, so I will bring their names to the foot of the cross. I'm adding them to my ROH list I pray for on Tuesdays. Don't be discouraged about their ??, I think it's their way of distracting us to not talk about Jesus the lover of our souls!!praying for you too Paula!
    www.jodylynne.com
    posted by Jody
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 5:52 pm
  2. Paula, you post made me want to laugh and cry and contemplate and grieve and commit. We indeed need to rub shoulders with the desperately lost ~ whether they are atheists at a restaurant or posing "saints" in our churches.

    It's too easy to cocoon in Christianity and forget that Christ-followers of the 1st century walked beside pagans and agnostics and all sorts of unseemly people. Jesus said, "Go ye into all the world...", but we still keep expecting the lost to show up at the church's doorstep. God help us see the world through His eyes.

    Thanks for sharing your adventure with Jesus.
    http://heartchoicestoday.blogspot.com/
    posted by Dawn Wilson
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 6:50 pm
  3. My witness encounters have ranged in magnitude through out the years. I find that the toughest battle ground is my own home town. So many here have been raised in the church and yet so many are so lost. They've traded truth for a religion made up of a little of this and a little of that...and deny that Jesus is the Way, that the bible is Truth and that sinners will be called to account. I'm amazed at how many young people in my small little town have not understood the Truth at all! I'm praying for us. I'm praying for them. I'm asking Jesus for the love and the words to speak openly to them...without shrinking back.
    posted by Sara
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 7:15 pm
  4. All Praise, Honor and Glory to our Precious Lord who is continuing to seek and to save the lost!
    Hallowed be His Name! I am joining with you in prayer Paula for dear Beatriz and Louise. What a Joy it will be for you Paula, trusting in the mercy and love of God, that you will, I trust see, these two women in heaven someday, worshipping their Savior!
    posted by Suzy Mazur
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 8:01 pm
  5. How much D.A. Carson's quote means to me in light of the following quote I received from one of my FB friend's friend (we were engaging in healthy debate until he revealed his true colors): "If an imaginary being wishes to judge me then fine, he has condoned the slaughter of entire people for disagreeing with him...if that is the deity that rules the universe then I'll flip him off personally before jumping into the fire."

    Here we see the truth of what D.A. Carson is speaking about. I never replied to this man's post. After reading it, I immediately cried for him whose arrogance before Almighty God knows no limit.

    Thank you for a reminder to pray for him again. All I know is his name and that he is in need of a Savior.
    posted by Valerie Engel
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 8:30 pm
  6. I'm actually encouraged to hear this as it seems we always hear about those evangelistic successes rather than the other encounters. I keep telling God I'm really not good at evangelism, I'm not your girl for THAT! And yet...he keeps sending people my way that I know he wants me to share the Gospel with. I will admit I'm growing through it, but most of my encounters have gone more like this. Leaving me a bit frustrated, feeling like why did God lead me to share anyway,but then I remind myself that perhaps I'm just a see planter and someone else will water that sees down the road...
    posted by Kendra
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 9:11 pm
  7. Saw TGC Women's Conference Jenny Salt and Nancy Leigh DeMoss streaming live. What a fantastic conference. Your post helps bring alive
    how the gospel seems to be foolishness to those
    outside of Christ. Been doing the TW 101 study, so seeing you and reading about your "adventures" makes it a real story. Thanks for sharing...
    A ?...are TGC messages available on line or for sale from TGC?
    Was sharing this a.m. at church what a blessing Nancy's message and the Getty's song..."When Trials Come" helped me put circumstances in my life in perspective!! PTL
    posted by JoAnne Blackford
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 9:21 pm
  8. Thanks.. Thanks. Thanks. We do need to meet w/ others and share regardless.
    http://wholenewmom.com
    posted by Adrienne @ Whole New Mom
    on Sunday, June 24, 2012 at 10:44 pm
  9. I appreciate this article as my husband has recently said that he is an atheist after boldly professing Jesus for 15 years. Daily, he argues all the "fallacies" of the Bible including the ones mentioned above. I need to continually keep before me the realities of Jesus Christ in order to stay strong in this. Thank you for sharing! please pray for me as I battle this war.
    posted by Shena
    on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 6:47 am
  10. @Shena...praying for you today and as our Great God brings you to mind.
    posted by Jody
    on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 9:29 am
  11. A Divine appointment and all the way from France. Such a sacred moment in time for all of you.
    Praying with you that the blinders that keep them from knowing the Truth of the Gospel will be removed.
    posted by Susan
    on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 11:06 am
  12. This post makes me smile, Paula.

    I think it was about a year ago that you wrote on this blog how afraid you were of sharing the gospel with unbelievers, but you were finished with resisting Him and willing to obey in this area. Then, you asked your readers to pray for you. I have prayed for you as you were brought to mind, as have many others, I'm sure. It appears that God has been faithful in answering prayers and you have grown in this area. This is so very encouraging to me today because I so want to grow in boldness and obedience as well. I have been so convicted recently because often I am ashamed of the gospel --even though God has placed me in a country and situation where people around me are so spiritually hungry. Your apparent growth in this area gives me hope.

    I'm also encouraged to be steadfast in prayer for the lost that I encounter. I live in a Muslim country with a mosque situated directly across the street from our home. Initially, I used the sounds of their call to prayer throughout the day as a prompt to pray for the many unbelievers in my life. Recently, I've become lazy in that area and their calls to prayer have become just background noise and a wasted opportunity for me to bring the names of my lost aquaintances before the true and living God. You've reminded me of the importance and privilege of consistent prayer for them.

    Thank you so much for writing this post.
    posted by Sandra
    on Monday, June 25, 2012 at 3:15 pm
  13. This is a good reminder that when we come across unbelievers, and our heart is racing, our mind is whirling through our mental scriptures on facts and convincing data to fight for what we believe in...this post is a good reminder that sometimes when we come across these unbelievers that maybe our paths cross for OUR sake just as much for theirs.

    While we may not always win them over, it is their complete defiance that strengthens our own faith and resolve in God and what He has done in our own lives.

    Thank you for sharing.
    posted by E
    on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 12:48 pm
  14. Jody and Suzy and Susan, thank you so much for praying for Beatriz and Louise with me!

    Praying for you, Sara, as you boldly share with those in your town.

    Wow, Valerie, that does illustrate his point well. Praying for that man.

    Kendra, I am so encouraged that you are taking the opportunities God is sending your way, even though you feel ill-equipped. Somehow, that's when His strength is showcased best. You go, girl!

    JoAnne, A volunteer told me the messages would be available on TheGospelCoalition.org in a couple of weeks. Enjoy!

    Wow, Shena, what an incredible assignment God has given you. Praying that as you submit to and respect your husband, you will win him without a word by your life (1 Peter 3:1).

    Sandra, I can't thank you enough for your prayers. Please don't stop. God is answering them! What an incredible location God has placed you in. May you be His shining witness to your Muslim neighbors through your prayers, love, and bold but gentle words.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 6:34 pm
  15. I saved this post for future reading, and the timing of this read could not have been more perfect. I recently blogged about the book 50 Shades of Grey. My friends aren't happy. The church ladies aren't happy. Then, I read this paragraph: I thought of them again this morning when D.A. Carson said, "Hell is not filled with people who are deeply sorry for their sins, but those who still shake their puny fists at God." And again I prayed for Beatriz and Louise. Because sometimes I think God has me interact with unbelievers not so much because I’m able to change their minds, but so that I will pray for them by name over and over again.

    In my discouragement you helped me realize I may never change anyone's mind about that book. I may just lose some friends. But, I can pray for them by name...wow...the power of prayer. Thanks so much!
    www.makingmuchofhim365.com
    posted by Sarah Farish
    on Wednesday, June 27, 2012 at 6:37 pm
  16. Sarah,

    Thank you for your courageous stand. I love how the Holy Spirit spoke to you about your own personal situation through this post.

    Praying you continue to love and make much of Jesus,

    paula
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Wednesday, July 4, 2012 at 3:29 pm
  17. Paula, thank you for this post. The Lord seems to use this blog/site to let me see that what's on my heart He really is directing me to. I have wanted to be more evangelistic, and yet I'm "scared" of ??s like those you were getting. I hate not having the right words. And yet, it's not my response but theirs that matter. Its not my eloquence but the Holy Spirit's moving them. Thank you for being brave and for telling us about your experience even though it was not visually, immediately a positive.
    posted by Rose
    on Monday, July 9, 2012 at 7:18 pm
  18. Even though they won 4-0 with intellectual objections, they could not have possibly escaped how lovely and kind you are. Perhaps the Spirit of God in you planted a seed to desire things that are good and pure. Not that you were better than them, but you were kind. Love has a way of winning one's heart even when the mind is roadblocked. They could not have missed that.
    Love you, Paula. God bless your ministry.
    www.fffbn.org
    posted by Larry
    on Thursday, July 26, 2012 at 10:59 pm
  19. Thank you for your encouragement, Mr. Collins! It was timely with another situation.
    posted by Paula Hendricks
    on Tuesday, July 31, 2012 at 3:24 pm

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