Sister Tarpley: The Eternal Sales Call

By: Sister Tarpley, NDG Religion Editor
                                                    
“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”  Romans 10:9. 

The story is told of a man named Bill, receiving a phone call from a technology CEO.  It was their second conversation. Bill began receiving a daily devotional a few weeks earlier, compliments of his mother-in-law.   Each day he read the daily message and found that it really helped him. 

The CEO felt that his technology product might have some application to Bill’s ministry.  Bill was asked about how he had started getting the devotional. As he told his story, Bill could tell the CEO probably did not know the Lord personally.  So, he inquired further with a few more leading questions. 

Gradually the CEO changed the subject to his product.  They discussed the product for twenty minutes or so. As the CEO was about to conclude their conversation Bill asked, “Could we go back to our original conversation?  Tell me more about your spiritual journey and where you feel you are?  

The CEO told of his background in which he was raised in a particular Christian tradition.  Bill shared how Christ came not to give us a religion but to have a personal relationship with us. 

Eventually, Bill asked, “What do you think keeps you from making such a commitment?”  “Well, quite frankly the CEO said, I am a controller. I feel that I can’t let go of control.  I fear what might happen.” Bill appreciated the CEO’s honesty. 

They discussed this at length and Bill helped the CEO understand that every person has a control issue to overcome.   However, Christ requires us to have faith in Him and give control to Him in order for Him to give us real life. It is the great paradox of faith in Christ. 

Bill said to the CEO, “So, now that we have dealt with that issue, is there any reason you would not be prepared to make that commitment to Christ?”   “Well, said the CEO, now that you put it that way, no, I guess there isn’t,” he responded.

Bill prayed with the CEO over the phone to invite Jesus to be Lord over his life, not just his Savior.  What the CEO intended to be a typical sales call became a call for eternity.

Perhaps there will be an opportunity today to see your work as an opportunity to share the love of Christ with someone who is waiting to receive salvation through Him. 

Talk to God, if you do this; tell Him that sometimes you wonder why in the world you go through the things you do. Ask Him what lesson is it that you are supposed to learn?  Rejoice in the times that God allowed you to have “faith experiences”–times that have tested and strengthened your faith in Him.  

Trust that faith experiences are usually not easy, but they end up being a blessing in disguise.  Ask God to hold you up and keep you from stumbling. Ask God to continue to bless you so that you may be a blessing to others and to Him. 

Ask God to work through you so that your faith experiences will be a testimony to help others who need a special touch. Tell God that you love Him in the name of Jesus.