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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Friendship (04/04/05)
It wasn’t just another night of cruising the shopping center. Things were different this time. Sure, Cliff was driving the old Impala his parents had given to him. Yes, Bobby was riding “shotgun” as usual. And yes, it was the same old shopping center. However, there was something different about Bobby.
A few nights earlier at a revival meeting in a little country church Bobby had finally answered a calling. He had been a Christian ever since the sixth grade, but never really lived it – at least not on a consistent basis. It wasn’t that he had been too rebellious, he just hadn’t been consistent – or so he had tried to tell himself. Over the past several weeks leading up to the revival he had asked God to let him preach. Well, God said “Yes” and now here he was.
Cliff and Bobby had been friends for about six years after meeting in high school. It didn’t seem to matter that Bobby was a sophomore on the football team and Cliff a freshman who was a part of the drama club. They had hit it off and hung out with a few other buddies on weekends. Games, movies and more games were the norm. There favorite thing to do was ask each other the question the vultures asked each other in Disney’s The Jungle Book.
“What do you want to do?” one would ask in a horrible English accent.
“I dunno. What do you want to do?” the other would reply.
Graduation came and went for Bobby. Now here they were. Cliff was probably Bobby’s best friend, yet he had never mentioned anything about Jesus to Cliff. He wasn’t sure why, but he knew that he needed to say something now. His stomach churned and his heart pounded as he kept thinking about how he would share the most important news he had ever shared with his friend.
“Cliff?” Bobby said nervously.
“Yup?” his buddy replied.
“I need to tell you something.”
“Okayyyy.” Cliff could tell something was bothering friend.
“I’m kind of nervous, so here goes.” Bobby swallowed hard. “Cliff, I believe God has called me to be a preacher and that means it’s my job to tell you that Jesus died on the cross for your sins and that you can go to heaven if you accept what he has done.”
Cliff sat silently as they cruised past the Long John Silver’s for the umpteenth time.
“I don’t want you to tell me that just because it’s your ‘job’” Cliff said as he smiled.
“You’re right.” Bobby felt a little less nervous now. “You’re my friend and I love you like a brother. That’s the reason I want you to know about what Jesus has done for you. It would be like if I were drowning in the ocean, you would throw me a line right?”
“Well…” Cliff chuckled. “Of course I would.”
“Well, that’s what I’m trying to do for you. You’re my friend and I want to give you the ‘line’ of hope that Jesus offers.”
Cliff nodded and listened. After a few minutes he changed the subject and Bobby felt he should not press him any further. The night of cruising came to an end and they went to their respective homes.
Over the years they saw less and less of each other. Cliff was a groomsman in Bobby’s wedding and for a short time they stayed in touch via e-mail. At one point Bobby tried again to share the gospel with his former best friend in a phone call, but again Cliff made no decision.
Now, almost twenty years after that night cruisin’ the shopping center Bobby still prays for his friend Cliff. He prays that his friend will not only hear the gospel, but that he will respond to it.
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This article has been read 885 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Leticia Caroccio
04/12/05
One chapter in the life of a friendship - but what an important chapter. You told it well. I recognized the struggle one has when he is about to witness to someone who has known us for a long time. You captured the moment. Nicely done.
Delores Baber
04/13/05
Isn't it strange that you can talk about anything with your best "bud" but to share the Gospel becomes so awkward. You sense the uncomfortableness of the other and in yourself. Your love for his soul longs for agreement, but you can only share and leave the rest to the Lord. You described this so well. Thanks.
Suzanne R
04/17/05
This sounds very autobiographical. I wonder if the main character really did become a preacher?! May Cliff be turned to God somewhere along the track. And when that happens, your input will no doubt have been of significance in the process.