Connecting the Dots

Last Sunday morning I preached from Colossians 4:3 about praying for God to open doors to speak about Jesus. I actually stopped in the middle of the message and prayed that for all in attendance. When the service ended a man approached me who is DPS Sergeant. He asked if I would preach the funeral for one of his trooper's dad who recently died. 

I have to confess my first reaction was not joyous acceptance. It is never easy to preach funerals for people you do not know. God has given me that opportunity numerous times. In fact, the last two funerals I preached I did not know the person. I dreaded it but accepted. I gathered some information on the deceased man and was relieved to discover the man was saved back in 2002. The whole week I dreaded the service though. I determined right from the start I would confess that I never met the deceased. I spoke very little of him based on the limited information I had about his life. 

Yesterday morning everything changed. The funeral was at 2:00 yesterday afternoon. While praying in the morning, I remembered my prayer from the pulpit about God opening the door to speak for Jesus. It suddenly dawned on me this was exactly what I asked God for. It also dawned on me several DPS troopers would be in attendance. I had the opportunity to preach the gospel message to people who needed to hear it. 

It changed my perspective and my attitude. Not only were there multiple DPS troopers in attendance dressed in uniform, but there were also several Texas Rangers law enforcement officers in attendance as well. I have never had such an opportunity before. God gave me the chance to clearly explain the gospel, sin, the reason we need a Savior and even to touch on themes of heaven, hell, and the second coming. All of that in about 20 minutes. Admittedly, some in attendance tuned me out by their body language. Some listened intently. I prayerfully sowed the gospel seed. I trust God to do the rest drawing people to salvation through Jesus Christ. 

I failed to connect the dots between what I prayed and what God did in response. Has that ever happened to you? Did that happen because I really did not believe what I prayed last Sunday morning? Was it because the answer came in the form that was not comfortable or expected? Or, was it because I got so busy doing other things it distracted me from making the connection? I do not have a clear answer to those questions other than I believe I sincerely had faith to believe when I prayed in the pulpit for God to open doors. I am thankful He did. 

I will long treasure that privilege of getting to preach before so many honored law enforcement officers. I am thankful for the opportunity. When you ask God for something, I encourage you to pay attention to what happens in the following days. God may answer your prayer in ways you did not expect. You might miss it if you do not connect the dots.