Why didn’t you tell me?
This story is fictional, but all too true.
And repeated all too often.
And one that we may not think about until it’s too late – if ever.
If it hasn’t happened to you,
it probably has to your friends and family.
The names and the situations change – but the story doesn’t.
Abbie and Ben both grew up in houses where God was never mentioned. They met in college. By that time, Abbie had gone to church off and on. Ben was too busy with sports on Sundays, so he never had the time or the interest for church. When they got married Abbie gave up going to church to make things easier at home.
Later, they had two kids – Chloe and Derek. Like their parents, both kids received no exposure to God at home. But Chloe heard about God from some of her friends. After a series of arguments between Abbie and Ben, it was finally decided that Chloe could waste her Sunday mornings in church if that would keep the peace at home. Derek didn’t want to have anything to do with either church or the fight. He had plenty of friends – and none of them went to church. For her part – Chloe became very devoted to God – but didn’t want to cause problems at home – so left her faith at the front door and never brought it inside.
Derek’s friends, at it turns out, were heavily involved in a gang. Eventually, the unthinkable happened. There was a gang war – and Derek was shot and killed. Chloe was heart broken. Since she never talked about her faith with her brother – he didn’t know about Jesus. He wasn’t going to be in Heaven. But it still wasn’t enough to make her bring up the topic with her parents.
A few years later – Abbie and Ben were driving home from a sporting event. Their car was struck by a drunk driver. Both were killed instantly. Chloe was beside herself. Her fear of causing problems at home had kept her from sharing her faith again. Now – her entire family was destined for Hell – because they never knew about the saving grace of God that He offers to us.
The other side of this story
But there’s another side to this story. One that we don’t see. One that we probably don’t even think about.
When Derek died – he appeared before God. As we read in Isaiah –
Isa 45:22 “Turn to me and be saved,
all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other.
Isa 45:23 By myself I have sworn,
my mouth has uttered in all integrity
a word that will not be revoked:
Before me every knee will bow;
by me every tongue will swear.
Isa 45:24 They will say of me, ‘In the LORD alone
are righteousness and strength.’ ”
All who have raged against him
will come to him and be put to shame.
Derek learned – too late – about the faith that his sister had.
The same event took place for Abbie and Ben.
And all three of them asked of Chloe – too late –
Why didn’t you tell me?
Then they remember that they are the reason she didn’t tell them.
If you’re in this situation, don’t wait. We never know what comes next. We never know when it’s too late.
Yes – the people you care about may get really mad at you. But at least you tried.
My father, who was very much like Ben – the first time I tried to tell him – he threw me out of the house. I kept trying. I’ll find out whether or not the message got through to him. I suspect not. But I can always hope.
My mother, who was very much like Abbie – she was so confused about God. But when I started to explain some things to her, she said “Jesus is everything!”. I do expect I’ll see her in Heaven.
My sister – who was nothing like either of the children – told me she was happy that I get some comfort from my faith. She has no interest at all in God.
My brother – won’t even talk to me. Last time I called him, his first comment was “how the <expletive deleted> did you get this number!”
I still find it hard to talk to casual friends about my faith. I pray for that to get better.
If you haven’t shared your faith with family and friends – I pray for you as well.
And if you don’t understand / know about the gift of eternal life in Heaven that available with acceptance of Jesus – find one of your friends who is Christian – and ask them –
Why didn’t you tell me?