Miracle at the Bell Tower
A story told by Jeffory Blackard
YES!!! God is still in the “Miracle” business? Do you believe it? Some say they’ve never witnessed a miracle, but I would argue that every time the sun comes up, or when a baby is born, a miracle has taken place. Yup, God is still in the miracle business every minute of every day. Recently, I witnessed a TRUE miracle, which I’ve seen change several lives, including mine.
If you’ve driven around Adriatica recently, you’ve probably seen, and most likely wondered about, the funny looking jeep that looks like a storm chaser truck. What is that thing????
One day after seeing the “storm chaser truck” around for several weeks I finally met the owner of the mysterious vehicle. A Russian man named Rus, who I’ve come to know as “Rus the Russian”! Rus was driving by Adriatica and felt drawn to the place. So drawn, in fact, he came every day for several weeks. He’s a slight man with a warm smile, and on that day I spoke to him for the first time I asked him what he was doing and what all the gadgets on his truck were. With his deep Russian accent he told me about a patent he was preparing to submit, on the experimental elements he has mounted on his truck. He’s a brilliant, highly educated man, but that day my interest wasn’t in his accomplishments. My interest went much deeper.
I had recently learned that only about 2% of the population who call themselves Christians had ever shared the gospel with someone. Only 2%!!! Can you believe that? It’s our very purpose on earth and less than 2% of us fulfill that purpose. So, although it’s slightly out of character for me, I asked my new Russian friend if he knew Jesus.
He looked at me with an uncomfortable glare at first, then went on to describe his belief in the “universe”, it’s “higher power” and the evolutionary basis for his belief. He told me he felt the “spirits” drawing him to Adriatica and came here because he felt at peace. He compared the universe and science and tried to explain how we got here and all that he believed. I simply told him if he ever wanted to know more about Jesus to come see me on the 7th floor and then I left.
Unbeknown to me, my lovely wife (Donna) walked passed him on the same day and asked him the same questions. We inadvertently “tag teamed” him for Christ, which was God’s design of course.
A couple of weeks went by and I saw Rus several times. As a matter of fact, he needed internet access so he could submit his patent, so I allowed him to use our offices and our internet. We didn’t talk about Jesus again for several weeks. Then one day he came to my office to tell me he had submitted his patent and to thank me for the use of the internet service. It was a normal busy day for me, so I talked to him for a short moment and then went to resume my work. Rus went to the elevator to leave… But couldn’t. He simply could not make his hand push the elevator button.
Rus had recently become aware of a horrific incident that left a member of his family’s life in ruins. Rus, consumed with anger towards a man who was responsible for the family ordeal, was in a place where he wanted vengeance no matter what the cost. But instead of seeking out his own vengeance, he became frozen on the seventh floor of the Bell Tower, unable to make himself leave. He then turned to me and asked me to tell him about this “Jesus”.
Those who know me know it wasn’t a comfortable moment for me. Like many of you, while I love Jesus with all my heart, sharing the gospel does not come easy. However, God has been preparing me for over a year by sending me a number of Christian brothers who have invested their time to teach me how to pray, and to teach me the importance of setting aside an hour of my life EVERY DAY to be in the presence of God. EVERY DAY!
So, with God in my heart, I proceeded to share the precious gift of salvation with Rus. After a while, I asked him if he was ready to pray for his own salvation and ask Jesus into his life. He was indeed, ready.
As we prayed, this empty and broken man physically changed before my very eyes. The Holy Spirit visibly entered his body and Rus was forever changed. This man, on his way to seek vengeance, was suddenly filled with a giddy laughter and joy that could ONLY come from the Holy Spirit. It was a miracle to witness. We laughed, we cried, he spoke scripture and prophecy after knowing Christ for only moments! Since, he has joined us in prayer every morning and continues to be the most advanced “baby” Christian I’ve ever had the pleasure of knowing. Many have witnessed the joy that now is “Rus the Russian”.
Rus wakes up with a joy that shines from his soul, and only four days after he was born again, he hugged the man he had wanted to seek revenge on, and went on to lead him to Christ as well! I have learned SO much from my friend Rus. Mostly, I have learned that when we don’t share the Truth about Jesus Christ we are robbing someone of JOY. The world has a number of broken men and women looking for answers, a number of people like Rus. People who don’t know the honor, joy and freedom that can only be experienced through a personal relationship with Christ … but only need someone to introduce them. All personal relationships take time to develop. Give time to develop your relationship with God and then give others the very same gift.
How is your life going? Are you stressed? Does the economy or state of the political climate have you unnerved? How’s your marriage? How are your kids? What about your health?
Do you know that when you spend time with God … He also spends time with you and NOTHING makes Him happier? Did you know He can heal marriages and He’s bigger than your debt? He can overcome your health issues, help with your kids and alter every moment of your life. All you have to do is ask Him. While that certainly doesn’t mean your life will be problem free, it means you will never carry the burden alone. NEVER. As a matter of fact, you were never meant to carry it alone, it’s just a choice we make when we don’t know there’s an alternative.
Spending time with God every day means you will get daily direction from the Creator of the universe. Isn’t that better than getting direction from the local bartender?
It means you will begin to develop your purpose. Do you know your purpose? Aren’t we all just seeking our purpose?
I can tell you that watching what God has done in Rus’ life is certainly a miracle. To watch the immediate transformation from dead to alive is something to behold and yet, less than 2% of the Christians on this earth accept that honor. Will you?
I am a wretched man, yet somehow God has found something in me worth saving. He’s found it in you too. So if you don’t know Christ and you want to learn about Him, come see me. I’m on the 7th floor of the Bell Tower at Adriatica. Or call me … my cell phone number is 214-914-1695.
If you already know Him, then the best Christmas present you can give all of the people in your life is to write an email like this and send it out to everyone in your address book. Are you bold enough to do it or will you pick and choose who it goes to sending it only to the ones you know are “safe”? Why is it we are often more afraid of what man might think of us than what God does? If you know Him, you know He is your judge and jury … not anyone here on earth.
So choose. Either come see me and lets get fired up to change this world together … or begin right now by sending out your testimony to your world and make yourself available, above all else, to anyone who might want to know Christ. You might have a Rus in your database. There might be someone going through something right now, someone who doesn’t see a way out …. Give them the way.
We can NOT build the Kingdom of God with less than 2% of His people participating. Will you join God’s team and be BOLD for Him?
Sincerely yours,
Jeff Blackard