Come on in. Have a seat and relax. Listen to a story of how God is meeting men through The Journey and taking them to new heights. We are truly part of something special that God is doing, and we need to tell the stories. "Every man has a story and every story is worth hearing." In addition to the Influencers Weekly Devotional, you will receive a "Story of Influence" each week. Be encouraged. If you would like to submit a story, email it to
[email protected].
Joel stood in the Wal-Mart parking lot doing something he never thought possible...panhandling. Day in, day out, he hoped generous bypassers would have mercy on him and give him a few dollars. He leaned on his walker to support his deteriorated legs, and at the end of the day, he would climb into his 20 year old van for another cold night's sleep.
How did he get here? He had always been so self-sufficient. He had built a career in the kitchen. He had learned to cook, and he had learned all the intricacies of running a restaurant kitchen. He took pride in the efficiency in which he managed food service. Those of us who sit at the tables being waited on have no idea what goes on behind the scenes. Joel knew his business, and admittedly, he was very arrogant about it.
Though he had been around alcohol his whole life, he had never been a drinker. His mother always warned him of its dangers. For some reason, he decided to take a shot of alcohol. Perhaps it was boredom, perhaps it was escape, perhaps it was a deep longing for a new life. No matter the reason, this one innocent drink turned into an addiction. But what did it matter? Joel lived alone, so his drinking didn't hurt anyone. However, something started happening. First a little stumble, then another trip. Joel began to see that his legs were starting to fail. In a rapid manner, Joel began to lose function in his legs. That's a big problem when your career is on your feet in a restaurant kitchen. It wasn't long before Joel lost his job.
He wasn't worried. He had been a savvy saver of his money. He had enough money to give himself a much-needed paid vacation. The drinking continued and got worse, along with his legs. On one dreadful drunken night, Joel collapsed and ended up in an extended stay in the hospital. While he was there alone in his misery, he was evicted from his apartment.
Once he was released from the hospital, he was determined to stop drinking and to make his last bit of savings last as long as he could while he tried to get healthy. He chose to live in his van to make his money go further. He swallowed the last bit of pride he had and begin to beg for money.
Along came Journey brother, Sheldon. He was a young man on his own Journey, learning to live on Faith and Trust, desiring to go into full-time ministry, with very few resources. Yet, when Sheldon saw Joel there with his walker, he could not turn a blind eye. He took the last bit of money in his wallet and handed it to Joel. Being very shy in nature, Sheldon turned and walked away. Then, he turned around and asked Joel if he would go to church with him. Joel needed help, and he was searching for answers. He agreed to go.
Next thing you know, Sheldon brought Joel to a gathering of Journey guys for an early morning meeting. Joel was participating in Praise and Worship and hearing stories of transformation. He found himself praying with other men. Joel sensed he was in the right place. He joined a Journey group.
Every week, Joel drove his rickety van to the weekly gathering, and slowly, his legs started getting stronger. Then, word got out among the men that Joel was living in his van. The men could not sit by and do nothing. They raised some money and found Joel some temporary housing. They intervened to try to help him find a job. One man even donated him a free haircut. Joel finally got a job working in the kitchen at a large church in town. He began to pay his own rent. A few weeks ago, the men found out that Joel's van would not run any more. A generous Journey brother donated Joel a 2002 Chrysler Town and Country Van in tiptop condition. Joel stared in disbelief at this amazing display of generosity.
Joel has more than a new van. He has a new hope. He found Christ through the actions and hearts of some ordinary men. God is helping him rebuild his life, and his journey continues. He no longer needs his walker, and he is getting stronger physically and spiritually. He looks forward to the day when he can pay forward all the blessings he has received.
Joel would add that this is not really a story about generosity or about helping a fellow brother in Christ. It is a story about a man finding Christ and abandoning himself to Him with total trust. It is about personal abandonment and filling the emptiness in you with the only thing that can fill it...Christ.
