Animazement is a huge convention that takes place in downtown Raleigh annually. It celebrates the Anime style of cartoon animation that originated in Japan many years ago. This event attracts huge crowds every year and many of the people dress in elaborate costumes imitating their favorite characters. (a.k.a Cosplay)
The large crowds are a perfect place to share the gospel. Today, I joined with several area evangelists to do just that.
As Kevin was preaching, several people from the crowd began to ask questions. The crowd grew to the point where several people were trying to ask questions all at once while others were mocking and playing obscene music in an attempt to stop the preaching of the gospel. One person even accused us of being pedophiles. We have come to expect that at most of these events. The truth of God vs. the culture and the culture is hostile.
As this was happening, I noticed Lamar standing near me. He was an employee of the convention center. I heard him tell another person that “He loved to watch the chaos – referring the the crowds heckling the preacher. In fact, it was his favorite part of working the convention.”
So I stepped closer and ask him, “Where do you stand with the Lord Lamar?” (His name was stitched on his uniform.)
Lamar said that he believed in God and he was not trying to join the crowd who opposed the gospel. I reminded him that the Bible says that even the demons believe in God but they fear and tremble before him.
So I said, “Who is Jesus Christ to you?”
Lamar responded, “He is my leader.”
I believed that I needed to press further so I asked, “Lamar, if you were to die tonight, would you be 50%, 75%, or 100% sure you would Go to heaven?”
He replied, “50%.”
So I asked him what the 50% was that was keeping him out. He responded that he loved the world too much.
I reminded him that God’s Word said that to be friends with the world is to be an enemy with God. I asked him if it concerned him that he was not sure about going to heaven. He said yes. Then he began to share a little of his story with me. He said he had accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior but he was far from him right now.
I reminded him of the story of the prodigal son and how the prodigal son came to his senses one day and came home. When the son came home, the story tells us that the father ran to meet him.
“Lamar, you are that prodigal son,” I said.
I invited him to step a little further away from the crowd where we could understand each other better. We talked about the need to come back to the Lord and follow Him. Lamar told me that he had been having some troubling dreams lately. His mother had been talking to him about salvation and he knew that he needed to return to the Lord but in his time. I reminded him that we are not promised tomorrow.
I offered to pray for him and he allowed me to do that. I prayed that God would help him to see the need to return like that prodigal son did. He recognized the fact that it was not a coincidence that we had our conversation. I agreed with him.
Please pray for Lamar that God would continue to speak to his heart.
Until the Net is Full,
Darrel
