Luke 18:1-14
Let’s remember to pray for Jim and Marty.
“Notice what you notice.” Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth? (v. 8b) I’m sure that throughout history people have quoted this verse and added their own comments reflecting how little faith Jesus would find in their time if He returned. And we certainly feel it for our own time! What’s more, in our lifetime (for most of us) we have seen a drastic change in our society’s approach to faith and religion. In the 50s and early 60s going to church was the standard, especially if you wanted to get ahead in the business world. But the late 60s – sex, drugs, rock & roll – seemed to usher in a new era and we’ve never looked back! We seem to be going further and further down that slippery slope! I would hope that Jesus would find faith at St. Andrew’s. From my perspective there seem to be a number of people seeking the Lord.
I often cite Luke 18’s persistent widow, but less on the matter of prayer and more on persistence, itself. It was Jim O’Connor’s persistence (and faithfulness) between January 1972 and May 1975 that led me to the Lord. We met in a Chemistry class. He was a 19-year-old second-semester freshman and I was a 23-year-old Army veteran returning to college after nearly five years away. He saw my RSV Bible textbook for my Humanities requirement, a course on the New Testament, and that began a conversation that ended the day he graduated from college. We remain erratically in touch to this day. I am constantly thankful to him for his persistence in staying with me. Thank you, Lord!!
Persistence and faith. It’s a good combination!
Slava Bohu!
I also say, “Thank you, Jim O’Connor”!
Would I ever have met Fred if he hadn’t persisted and changed the trajectory of Fred’s life…?