My Story Part IV: Sun Visor Evangelism?

Some there I was-- Fall 1983.

Just a few months back I “heard” a loud non-audible “force” telling me to “get up and leave” and moments later I meet a man who helped change my life.

Keep in mind that I have analyzed that evening a thousands different ways. I have discounted it and attempted to put it out of my mind as purely psychological but the reality that I cannot escape is that it happened. So I just accept it as mystery and no longer attempt to define it or understand it. What I call God revealed God-self to me in a remarkable and somewhat unique way.

On Friday afternoon several of my friends and I made a road trip home. A guy from my hometown, Bill, had been calling asking for a ride so, even thought I did not like this guy I decided to let him ride home with me.

While driving in the early evening sun I pulled down my sun visor and there were my index cards. One said, “Today is the day God has made I will rejoice and be glad in it.” The other said, “Throw your heart over the bar and your body will follow.”

My friends teased me a little about the index cards but from the back seat of my Datsun B210 sationwagon Bill asked what those cards were for. I told me that I found hope and strength in the words. Bill said, “I’d like to talk to you sometime.” At the time, this was all new for me so I told him no problem but the reality was I didn’t care if I ever talked to him. Remember, I didn’t like him.

A few days later after we returned to school Bill showed up at my apartment unexpectedly. As best as I can recall I didn’t talk to him that day. I think I told him that I was busy and sent him away.

Telling this story to Ms. Bobbette Johnson the deeply spiritual African American woman who owned the local neighborhood convenience store, I soon learned that God may have plans for me to help Bill on his journey. She said, “God wants to use you to help this young man and you need to go pray that God will give you another opportunity to help him!” How was I supposed to help him? I didn’t know what to say nor did I even really care to help him but in a deeper part of myself I thought that she may be right. I went home, prayed and asked God for a second chance to meet with Bill.

The next afternoon Bill showed-up on my porch unexpectedly. I asked if he’d like to take a drive and so we headed out. I was completely clueless as to what I was going to say. We talked for a while and then it seemed like the words just came to me. It felt like the words came from my heart, bypassed my brain and come out of my mouth.

There we were sitting in the car having a major God-moment. What were we supposed to do? We decided to pray. This was the first time I recall praying with someone where I was leading the prayer. I had not attended any evangelism conferences, as a matter of fact, I had never heard of the word or the concept. This was just God, Bill and me. This was just two scared college kids looking for meaning and purpose. What was I supposed to pray about? How was I supposed to pray with this guy that suddenly l no longer disliked?

So I just opened my mouth and the words came out. I think I referred back to my experience with J.P. and may have borrowed from his prayer. It worked for me.

Bill prayed with me and I watched his fear, confusion, pain, and soul-heaviness vanquish before my very eyes. Something had happened. The strange part is that neither of us “knew” what was “supposed” to happen. We simply, in our naiveté just opened our brokenness hearts to God, and God met us in our opened wounds.

Over the next few months I slowly watched the transformation that happened in me happen to Bill. As a Roman Catholic Bill attended mass on a regular basis. As for me, still no church. It would be at least a decade later until I made my way through the doors of a church.

God can use index cards taped to a sun visor to speak to a person we don't like.

Why did God use me? Did God really have a plan? Maybe J.P. really did know what he was talking about. Too bad J.P. was 175 miles away. Too bad I would not see J.P. for nearly another 20 years.

I just followed my heart and did what seemed to come naturally. I did what fed me and gave me life. I think this is what Jesus must have meant about coming to give us life. I spoke no “Christian-ese” and I had no church box to in which place my experience. All that I knew was that whatever God is, God is very real and I did not need a box or language to experience God, all I needed was an open heart. I still believe this today.

There’s still more…and it all ties together 20 years later. J.P. shows up in a restaurant.