The Man of God at the Bus Stop (Part 3)

"I don't know," said the college man.  "I'm not convinced, and I'm honestly not even considering what you're saying.  I think science has already proven God doesn't exist."

I'd heard college students say what this man said.  Yet somehow when he said it, I knew that neither he nor any of them had the confidence that they feigned. 

"And you?  What's your response?"

I thought carefully.  I knew God spoke through this man.  I knew it.  But I was hesitant.  Not because of fear or doubt or disbelief.  I just didn't want to give my life to God, knowing He was real.  I finally understood that all along, I wanted to run my own life.  I could feel God's presence in the world, just as the man of God said.  I knew He was on earth now.  I think I had always known.  But I didn't want Him to be. 

"I have to think about it."

"You understand that you're already making up your mind.  You've already decided."

Now I felt scared.  He was right.  But I didn't want it to be that final.

"I'm not saying I reject the message or anything," said the college man suddenly.  "I'm not really an atheist.  More of an agnostic."

"You know God is speaking to you through me." the man of God said.  This time his voice sounded firm.

"I know.  Maybe I just don't know what kind of God is speaking through you."

"You know He made you and that your life is His."

The college man looked down.  He stood silent for a long time.  As he stood, we all heard the bus coming from afar.  Again, I can't explain this, but I knew that I had to make up my mind before the bus arrived.  So did the college man. 

"Please listen to him," said the African-American woman.
"I know it's hard, but that's because you're resisting what you know...just like I did," said the other woman.

The bus came into sight, about four stops away.

I felt like I needed to simply do it.  So I did it.

"I give my life to God."  It's like I wanted to say it before I could come up with any more excuses.

"I do too.  I give my life to God," said the college man quickly.

We looked at each other and saw the same warm glow we'd seen on the women's faces.

"God's Spirit is in all of you.  Now you are men and women of God.  His messengers.  Your first act for Him is to give the message to those on the bus.  Who will speak, and who will pray for the ones speaking?"

"I'll speak," said the college man.
"So will I," said the formerly angry woman.

"I'll pray for you," I told the woman.
"And I'll pray for you," said the African-American woman to the college man.

"I pray that God gives you power as you speak and as you pray."

Then the bus came.
We all got on the bus and sat in the four empty seats at the front of the bus.

We waved to the man of God at the bus stop.  He waved back, his face warmly glowing.