A short time

The Sugarloaf Crafts Festival came to the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center a few days ago---300 people plying their trade at something that has nothing to do with their college degrees. At least that's what the stained glass guy told me I would find if I asked around.

So I decided to do that, and the first artisan I asked was a maker of beautiful red oak rocking chairs. My mother and I had each sunk into one of the display models at the stall with the sign that read "The Grant Rocker," and then I popped the informal survey question: "Did you get a college education in something other than carpentry, and leave your B.A. behind to pursue the thing you loved?"

The burly, bearded man with the hearty laugh looked me in the eye and said earnestly, "I would rather answer your question this way: The Lord Jesus Christ gave me the design for this chair."

I have lived in my present neighborhood of Glenside, Pa., for 24 years and most of my neighbors have never heard me talk about Jesus. I say this to my shame. But in the first five minutes of our acquaintance, W. Gerry Grant gave me the whole gospel in three words: "Lord," "Jesus," and "Christ."

The Apostle Paul was on trial for his life, but he was evidently not so interested in getting free as in soul-winning. King Agrippa and his wife Bernice had come with great pomp to the auditorium in Caesarea at the invitation of Governor Festus, and all were curious to see what the strange Jewish preacher of a new sect would say in his defense against the charges of the Jews. Paul launched immediately into proofs from Moses and the Prophets:

"'. . . that the Christ must suffer and that, by being the first to rise from the dead, he would proclaim light both to our people and to the Gentiles.'

"And as he was saying these things in his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, 'Paul, you are out of your mind; your great learning is driving you out of your mind.' But Paul said, 'I am not out of my mind, most excellent Festus, but I am speaking true and rational words. For the king knows about these things, and to him I speak boldly. For I am persuaded that none of these things has escaped his notice, for this has not been done in a corner. King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.' And Agrippa said to Paul, 'In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?' And Paul said, 'Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am---except for these chains'" (Acts 26:22-29).

Because sometimes you're just ships passing in the night, and this might be your one and only chance to throw out a lifeline. This is why you have to figure out, between you and God, how to live in order to be ready in season and out of season. ". . . [A]s shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace" (Ephesians 6:15).

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