Just Throw the Net

Many of us are afraid to ask someone if they would like to give their life to Jesus Christ for one simple reason: we’re afraid the answer will be no. And it just may be. But there are those wonderful times when someone will surprise you and say, “I want to give my life to Jesus Christ.”

Many years ago, I had the opportunity to be reunited with my father, Oscar Laurie, the man who adopted me. My mother had divorced him when I was a young boy, and that was the last time I had seen him. Years later, when I had an opportunity to preach on the East Coast, he invited our family to stay at his house for the weekend.

After dinner one night, his wife said, “Greg, tell me about how you came to put your faith in Jesus Christ.” As I shared my testimony and what Christ had done for me, my dad sat there listening with his hands folded. I thought, He is not buying this at all. But later that night, he asked me to go walking with him the next morning.

As we walked out into the cold morning air, he said, “I was listening to what you said last night. I want to know what I need to do to give my life to Jesus Christ.” He made a commitment to Christ that day, and he faithfully served the Lord for the remaining 15 years of his life.

Sometimes, when you share your faith, you don’t think you are getting through. But you never know. That is why we need to throw out the net. We need to give people the opportunity.