I don’t know exactly how to title this, so I’ll start writing and see where it leads. This happened at church today. There was a take-back to last week.

Let’s start with last week. At the end of our service last week a young man of middle school age came to the stage and gave a short thought about the need for salvation. He was very convincing in what he said. His delivery was direct. It had power in it. I was impressed. Not many middle school-age kids are of such a spirit. I know, because I drive a school bus of middle-schoolers every day of the week and I know what most of them think.

Now to this morning. His aunt brought him to church and he looked a bit down. I spoke to him, but he was not very responsive. As he walked away his aunt told me that his grandmother had died some time back and his mom and dad had divorced. He was not adjusting to the loss of two important factors in his life. I thought back to when my granddad died. I was seven years old. It was very hard on me. He was my man. Whatever I wanted he got it for me. His aunt continued with the fact that his mom and dad were not church-going people, but his grandmother had been a very faithful Christian and had taken him to church as much as possible. That explained to me his understanding of the need for salvation. Well, before he went into the sanctuary I did pray with him and left it at that.

When the service started it was only a few minutes when I saw him come back out into the foyer where I’m stationed. He sat down in a chair with his head down. I felt drawn to him so I sat down in a chair beside him. I asked him what was wrong. He said he was not having a good day. I won’t go into the conversation except to say he said he couldn’t sit in the service. I put my arm around him and told him things will get better. I also told him if he wanted to talk more about his situation, I would listen. He sat there for a while after I got up. I was caught up with another conversation and at some point I realized he had gotten up and was walking back into the service.

Libby and I had our SALT (Seasoned Adults Living Triumphantly) group luncheon and sharing time after church. I went over and sat down with a friend of this boy’s aunt and told her of my encounter. She went into more detail about his situation. Then it dawned on me what was going on.

I never give place to the evil one unless I have the understanding to say otherwise. From the speech he delivered last Sunday that I was impressed with it was evident he has a calling from God on his life. The evil one has taken his circumstances and used them to oppress him. The evil one doesn’t want him to become the man of God that has been placed upon him. Now I know how to pray for him.

If you’re a praying person, keep him in your prayers. He’s going to be a powerful man someday.