I’ll tell you a story like I would have told my children when they were younger. They heard stories about Mr. Hardhead, Mr. Windowopen, Mr. Trippenfall, and Mr. Smartmouth. But this story is for you. So, we have some different characters. Are you ready?
Here we go! Larry Yardston was working in his yard, trying to grow grass where he had a large, 35-year-old oak tree removed. Mr. Yardston had tried to restore the yard to its original beauty. He tried various grass seeds, as they were recommended by a number of so-called lawn care professionals. Mr. Yardston worked on that bare spot for weeks. He used the best fertilizer. He covered the seeds with hay. He watered daily, just as the professionals advised him. More weeks went by, and Mr. Yardston finally gave up. His restoration efforts were unsuccessful. There was nothing to show or show off as a result of his tedious work. Think of all his wasted time. Think of all the money that he invested! Coming to the conclusion that he needed help, Mr. Yardston called a top-of-the line lawn service to, as they say, “send in the big guns.” The cost for their service was not cheap, and the results were not instant. Even the professionals had to make more than one trip before any signs of grass started to fix, Poor Mr. Yardston.
One day a neighbor, while doing his daily walk through the subdivision, he saw Mr. Yardston standing on his lawn looking if what he paid for was getting close to being in the shape it was before he had the big old oak tree cut down. The neighbor, Charlie Church, stopped and talked to Mr. Yardston. After talking about the yard for a while, suddenly Mr. Church changed the subject. As a side note: We need to learn how to change the subject as Jesus’ witnesses. Let’s get back to the story.
Mr. Church says, “Your restoration project was indeed costly.” Mr. Yardston nods his head in agreement. Mr. Church goes on to ask, “Do you want to know about the best restoration project, one that is free?” Mr. Yardston says, “Why not? Free restoration, maybe I will need this in the future.” Mr. Church, knowing that Mr. Yardston was not a Christian, says, “I’m sure you will” Mr. Church goes on to describe how man had a perfect relationship with God, our Creator, but one day that relationship was broken by sin, So, the Creator sent His only begotten Son so that man could be restored to a right relationship with God. Mr. Yardstone started to look at his watch and shift his body weight from one foot to the other. Mr. Church says, “Mr. Yardman, you got get the rest of the story. The Son died on the cross for the sins of mankind, and anyone who believes in Him can be restored, brought back to a right relationship with God. No work is involved either! You will have no invoice to pay. The restoration is free!” Mr. Yardman says, “Thanks Mr. Church! You better get back to your walk before darkness overtakes you.” Mr. Church says, “Yes, you are right.” Reaching into His pocket, Mr. Church pulls out a small New Testament Bible and hands it to Mr. Yardman, telling Him to read the pages in The Book of Romans. He adds, “By the way, it’s called ‘The Roman Road. I’m giving it to you to make sure you get in before darkness overcomes you. Get to the Light!” Mr. Church runs on, not knowing the result of his personal evangelism, something we ought to be doing when the opportunity presents itself. As far as Mr. Yardstone, just pray that he, and all the other Mr. Yardstones you know, take advantage of the free restoration. By the way, if you have not taken advantage of the free restoration, today, this Sunday, is a good day to come out of the darkness and get into the marvelous light. Be blessed!
“But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:8-10 New King James Version)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King