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Finding Answers to Unasked Questions
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Later... another busy Friday night at
the bar. The music was great, the bar was full, and Michael had no
place
else to be that night so he hung out at the Depot. By this time, he
knew
the place quite well. Nonetheless, many new people he was not familiar
with came and went through the night. One group that he did know, the
card players from D.C. were back again. This time they gathered up
their beers and headed for the rear loft. Michael decided to follow
along. Resting on two comfortable sofas, the three young men discussed
things that were and, for some reason, drifted off into discussions
regarding the end of time. Michael was intrigued by the conversation,
even though religion was not part of his background. Somehow, the topic
appeared to be less religious rather more of a point of view. But they
were not alone that night. |
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In the loft, overhearing the
conversations, were two young Christians. They apparently were
listening
into the conversation and decided the timing was right to join in. As
the discussion continued into the night, the card player and his friend
retired for the night. Michael continued his intriguing conversation
with his new acquaintances. Michael's night ended with an invitation to
their informal church service. Michael, more or less out of curiousity,
agreed and made arrangements to be picked up from his dorm that next
Sunday. After all, how curious that in the midst of all the strange
happenings he would find two Christians hanging out in a bar with dark
undertones. By now, Michael was bound by curiosity to expore what this
might mean.. |
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That Sunday, the Christians arrived
on time and picked up Michael in an old pick-up truck. They explained
on
the ride over that they were part of the Way Ministries and that they
preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. Being of Jewish blood, the young
man figured it was a curious turn of events and wanted to know more
about this 'religion' and how it figured into his current situation. |
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That Sunday, after a lengthy drive
into the countryside, he arrived a small service with about ten people
present. It was a warm reception but one person in particular attracted
Michael's attention. He was introduced to a gentleman named Carl. Carl
was the head of the branch of the church in town. Michael seemed to
find
a connection with this older gentleman and the older gentleman seemed
to
take special note of the young man. This bond would continue for a time. |
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After another church service, Michael
received his first bible. It was a small pocket King James. He read it
every night more out of curiousity than anything else. He wanted to
know
why these people were being so nice and what it was that they were
talking about. Some man named Jesus that was always the abstract
Christmas figure. Michael figured a little reading wouldn't kill him.
As
time passed, Michael decided to purchase a regular sized bible. After
all, if he was to attend bible studies each week, he would need one.
That is when Michael's eyes began to open. |
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One night, sitting in his dorm room,
Michael dropped to his knees. Apparently, he had read enough to
understand that Jesus died for him and that he must do the same if he
was to ever have a chance at redemption. Michael prayed to the God in
Heaven to take his life. He prayed that he wanted to spend the rest of
his life being an answer to other people's prayer and that more than
anything, he wanted to live for Jesus and not for himself. It was as if
Michael was sitting at the very feet of God himself. At that very
moment
he could feel the burden of years of sin before being lifted off of him
and being left as a sacrifice before the alter of God. In its place,
Michael found an inner peace he had never known before. After all this,
the young man continued his bible sudies. He also continued to go down
to the Depot. He asked God to open his eyes. Apparently, that is
exactly
what the Lord God had in mind. From that point on, God would show the
young man exactly what game the players were playing and it was far
from the reality of day to day life. |
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As one night passed and another
arrived at the Depot, Michael started to see an evolving pattern to the
crowd. It began to appear that everyone always left either alone or
with
the person they arrived with. No one appeared to be picking up anyone
else. In fact, no one seemed to be hitting on anyone else. Seemed odd
for a college bar with a large crop of attractive people. By observing
his surroundings, studying the stage on which he was being played,
Michael noticed other trends. |
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Michael decided that he would find a
comfortable place to sit with a view of the front door and a large area
of the bar and watch the crowd as they came and went. Spending two to
three hours a night two nights a week, he figured he could get a feel
for who all the players were in the game that appeared to be playing
around him. What happened next was quite curious. As people arrived,
they began to turn their heads in his direction immediately after
coming
into the bar as if he was the only one in there. He noticed that those
that entered one particular night were determined to make eye contact
immediately upon entry. It was strange. But it could be coincidence. |
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On subsequent nights, Michael decided
to change his seating arrangements. Again, those that entered
immediately made eye contact no matter where he sat. This went on for
two weeks. Then, one night, the young man, after making eye contact
with
the first few groups of patrons, decided it was time to change
locations. He moved to a seat just inside the door where someone would
have to wheel all the way around in a circle to make eye contact. It
would be a rather unnatural, if not obvious maneuver, for someone just
going to the bar for a drink. Yet, the next gentleman into the bar
stopped after entering, gazed over where the young man had vacated,
then
stopped and looked around the bar as if looking for someone. The young
man, sitting just inside the door, pointed his finger toward the patron
and said "gotcha" to which the patron replied "yes, you did" and turned
and existed the bar. Probably all a coincidence but still, another odd
occurance at a rather unusual place. |
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The Bible states that "we wrestle not
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places." The young man was about to see the truth
first hand and it would be, to many, unbelievable. For one night, the
Lord God spoke to the young man and told him to go to the Depot and
wait. Once there, he spoke again to him and said that watch and I shall
show you those that seek your harm. |
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It was a busy night. Lots of
activity. People moving to and fro. One thing the young man noticed
right away was a spriitual darkness stronger than any he had ever felt
before. And, for the first time, there were new, older men hanging
around the bar. The young man immediately sensed that these individuals
were different. Sitting in his chair by the door, the young man noticed
what appeared to be a shadow moving about the room. The Lord stated
that
this is that which seeks after you. The Lord God opened the man's eyes
and he watched as the spirit moved from body to body, passing freely
through the room. The Lord said, see and understand that these are the
spirits of darkness that roam the land seeking whom they may devour.
They have been after you but I will not let you fall into their
hands. |
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The young man continued to patron the
bar. He would bring his bible and study while sipping his favorite
beer.
It turned into his favorite place to study as a sense of confort came
over him. He felt with all his heart that the Lord God wanted him
there.
He would soon find out why. |
