We literally pounded on the door frame and then the door opened. To our surprise, Larry invited us in. We had been introducing ourselves to neighbors around the church.

But this would a meeting like no other. We could hear the loud tv through the door, so we knocked louder. Then it was more like “pounding” – but politely!

Larry was in his eighties and said that when he was younger, he decided to “never set foot in a church again”. And he hadn’t since his thirties. Hearing his story, you wouldn’t blame him.

He also served in WW2 and was both proud of his service and troubled about some things. We were too. What he said next made it worse:

“I’m afraid to go to bed and that I won’t wake up”

“I wake up dreading the day.”

“In between, I have nightmares that won’t go away”

“It’s been decades and nothing and no one has been able to help.”

His words reminded me of Deut. 28:66-67.

I told him I knew Someone who could help and explained a few things about Jesus and the gospel to a man who hadn’t talked to God in a very long time.

He had questions, good questions and surprisingly wasn’t pushing against what we were sharing – he was leaning in.

“You heard my story; would Jesus do that for me?”

I nodded.

What happened next was another surprise and one I’ll never forget.

Without a word.

Without further instructions.

Without prodding, coercion or debate.

This aged, frail, trembling man managed to kneel in his living room, talk to Jesus as if he believed He was in the room, and asked God to forgive him:

For what happened during the war.

What he couldn’t fix on his own.

For how he treated God and others.

For all of it.

It was genuine, surreal and it didn’t feel like I belonged there. It was holy ground and a man had just reconciled with God.

He was free.

Felt peace.

Came to church and loved it for three years. His funeral was amazing.

One neighbor who knew how angry he was about God was more surprised to see Larry at church than Larry was!

People have lots of reasons to reject God, the gospel and church.

But when they do, the sleep often gets harder and their restless soul travails.

Larry didn’t know how much time he had left, but life without God was miserable.

Remember Deut. 28:66-67. We don’t like to think of God this way, but maybe we should.

When we reject Him for whatever the reason, He’ll take the sleep away and replace it with some misery. But not for the reason you might think.

The next time there’s a “knock at the door” that turns into pounding, you might want to answer it. No matter how long it’s been, it just might be God and He’s ready to have that talk.

Who do you know that could use today’s read? Forward it to them and be the knock at their door. If you need someone to talk with, reach out: [email protected]

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