Chapter 5

A familiar face was in Nait’s sight.

It was the young gentleman with the scar on his cheek. He was wearing all white and he looked around with wonder and awe.

“Reed,” The Light said.

Reed turned his attention to The Light.

The screen turned on. It showed a baby in his father’s arms. The baby grew up and eventually became a teen. He would pick on kids smaller than him and use obscene language. Dishonesty followed him wherever he went, being no stranger to lying and stealing. He lusted for attractive female of any age and hated those who were rude and impatient.

One day he heard the message of Jesus Christ through a video of two men speaking in sincere love. It was made clear to him that he was not good or a good person. He went to his room to pray to God, confessing and repenting of his sins and putting his trust in Jesus. He came out of his room a changed young man.

Reed stopped cursing and taking God’s name in vain. He became honest, even when it hurt. Woman were no longer an object for him to willfully gawk at. His crude joke telling days were over. He was never intoxicated with smoking or alcohol. His kindness was given indiscriminately. Even though he made mistakes like losing his temper, he refused to willfully do wrong. And one thing he made sure to do, was to share the Good News of Jesus Christ so that other may be saved.

One day while driving, Reed saw a car broke down on the side of the road. There was a man working on the car. “Should I offer a ride perhaps?” Reed said to himself. You should share with him. He silently groaned. “I shouldn’t respond like that. Maybe I thought about sharing with him for a reason. I may never see this man again.”

Reed pulled his car behind the man’s car and got out. Approaching the man with a bag of fast food and bottled water, Reed observed the car. “Hello, sir,” he said. “Is everything alright?”

The man turned around. He had long curly hair and a subtly surprised expression. “Everything is fine,” he said.

“I wanted to offer you a ride if you needed one,” Reed said. “I don’t know anything about fixing cars, but I can give you some food I just bought. I’m sure you’ve been out here awhile.”

“You bought food for me?” the man asked.

“I bought it for myself,” Reed explained. “But I’d be happy to let you have it.”

“That’s alright, kid,” the man said. “You eat your food. But I would appreciate the water.”

“No problem,” Reed said.

Reed gave the bottled water to the man.

“I’ll be fine without a ride,” the man said.

“Okay,” Reed replied.

The man started working on the car again. A few moments passed by. The man lifted his head and saw that Reed was still there.

“You still here?” the man responded.

“Yes,” Reed said. “This is a pretty remote place. Is it alright if I keep you company for a bit, or at least until you finish?”

“That’s new,” the man said. “What’s your name, kid?”

“Reed Demé,” Reed said.

“Nice to meet you, Reed,” the man said. “My name is Hevenin.”

Finishing his food, Reed took a deep breath. Say something, Reed thought to himself.

“You mind if I talk with you while you work?” Reed asked.

“Be my guest,” Hevenin said.

“We live in a crazy world,” Reed said.

“That we do,” Hevenin agreed.

“At the same time, there is still beauty,” Reed continued. “We have flowers, trees, fish, birds, and all kinds of animals. There is a form of order. But the most unique thing on earth are the people, mankind. Do you think God is concerned about all the bad things people do?”

“I guess,” Hevenin replied.

“We are moral beings,” Reed said. “We can discern the difference between right and wrong. We all have God given consciences that lets us know right from wrong. But we do wrong anyway.”

Hevenin continued working on the car.

“What do you think happens when a person dies?” Reed said.

“Nothing,” Hevenin said.

“You don’t think there will be justice for those who committed serious crimes and got away with it?” Reed asked.

“I’m not about that kind of stuff,” Hevenin said.

“God is concern about good and bad, right and wrong,” Reed said. “God is the judge of the universe. One day he is going to do away with evil. But He waits patiently for people to get right with Him. We are all accountable to God for our actions. We are all guilty of committing wrong and committing offences against Him. But because God is rich in mercy, He provided a way for us to be saved. Jesus lived a perfect life on earth and gave it up freely. His death paid for our crimes against God. If a person repents of sin and trust in Jesus, God can forgive them of sin and legally let them go free.”

“Why are you telling me this?” Hevenin asked.

“The main reason I stopped by was to share that message with you,” Reed said. “There is nothing more important than where you will spend eternity. I knew I would most likely never see you again if I didn’t stop.”

“You know, Reed,” Hevenin said, “life is short.”

“Yeah,” Reed agreed. “It is.”

“Death is scary,” Hevenin continued. “I think about it from time to time, if I’m honest with you. All we know is life.”

“That’s why it’s important to seek these matters out,” Reed said. “Some call it a fear of death. But it could also be referred to as a will to live. Some people let it drive them to seeking answers.”

“It was nice meeting you, Reed,” Hevenin said. “I should have this car running soon. Don’t wait up for me. Go ahead and enjoy the rest of your day.”

“Are you sure?” Reed asked.

“I’m sure,” Hevenin replied. “I’m going to spend some time thinking about what you said.”

“That’s great to hear,” Reed said. “You take care.”

“You, too,” Hevenin waved.

Some years had passed. Reed graduated from high school and was now in college. He spent his free time figuring out ways to share the Gospel.

One time, he walked up to his friend named Luke. Luke was sitting next to another young man. They were laughing and talking about someone.

“Hey, Luke,” Reed greeted. “How are you?”

“I’m good,” Luke answered.

Luke’s friend walked away.

“There is something I’ve been wanting to talk with you about, Luke,” Reed said. “I want to be straight forward.”

“Go for it,” Luke said.

“I’ve heard talk about all the things you’ve done at wild parties,” Reed said. “Having fun isn’t bad, but I want you to be careful and safe. You are part of that Christian group on campus. I don’t want to offend you, but I want to encourage you to examine yourself. There are a lot of people who have been misled on what the Bible teaches on salvation and they live immoral lives.”

“What are you talking about?” Luke responded. “Are you telling me this because you saw me holding hands with that guy.”

“No,” Reed said.

“Just go ahead and say whatever you have to say,” Luke said.

“There are people who think they are saved but really aren’t,” Reed said. “Yes, Jesus died for our sins, but that gift can only be applied to us if we repent of our sins and truth in Jesus. We can’t just live any way we want.”

“Get out of my face with that,” Luke said. “I’m sick of people like you that hate. Only God can judge. Only God can judge me.”

Luke walked away.

Later that day, Reed went to sit next to a classmate at the college’s café.

“Velia,” Reed said. “What’s up?”

“Got this exam to study for,” Velia said.

“The last time I saw you here was that time I shared with you about the Good News.”

“Oh, yes,” Velia sighed. “I remember that all too well.”

“Have you thought about it?” Reed asked.

“I have more important things to think about,” Velia said. “Plus, my sister and I are going through things. Stuff from our past is coming back.”

“Are you okay?” Reed responded.

“I’m completely fine,” Velia said. “Nothing bad is going on. It’s all working out.”

“Would you be willing to chat with me about our last conversation sometime later?” Reed asked.

“Absolutely not,” Velia said. “I don’t want anything to do with that stuff.”

“Okay,” Reed said. “If anything changes, let me know.”

“Don’t count on it,” Velia said.

Reed left the table. It wasn’t long until he bumped into a young woman.

“I’m sorry!” she said.

“It’s okay,” Reed assured her.

“Hey,” the young woman said. “Aren’t you Reed? My name is Tyrah. Have you ever considered going overseas and sharing the Gospel?”

“I have been thinking about it lately,” Reed said.

“You are graduating in a few weeks like me, right?” Tyrah responded. “I had been thinking about asking you if you wanted to join me. I have an opportunity to go overseas and share. I’m going shortly after graduation. I heard about you sharing, but I was leaning on not asking you.”

“I’m in,” Reed said. “I want to reach someone I would not otherwise have been able to reach.”

“Great!” Tyrah cheer. “I’ll get you the details soon.”

Sometime later, Reed found himself visiting a jail inmate.

Reed picked up the phone and saw on the other side of the glass was Hevenin.

“So, what do you know?” Hevenin asked.

“Everything,” Reed answered. “You had been on the run for years. They caught you and brought you in. You’ve been here ever since.”

“I’m surprised to see you,” Hevenin said. “We only met once.”

“I figured you had no one by your side,” Reed said. “I didn’t want you to be alone.”

“That’s pretty friendly,” Hevenin chuckled. “I’m not completely alone. My mother has showed me love through this ordeal.”

“I guess it is friendly,” Reed agreed. “I’m pretty sure you and I are considered friends by some definition.”

“I don’t want to hold you any longer than I have,” Hevenin said. “I don’t think I’ll be around much. There are only going to be a few people there at my final moments, my mother and a few others. I don’t want you to be there.”

“I’m willing,” Reed said.

“I know you are,” Hevenin said. “But don’t let me take any more of your time. I’ve been reading. I’ve learned a lot in a short period of time. I wouldn’t have thought seriously about God if I had never met you that day.”

Reed and Hevenin said good bye and Reed left. When Hevenin was alone and to himself in the dark, he thought deeply on his life and his choices.

Hevenin began to pray. “Dear, God. I get it. I understand. I am so, so sorry for all the things I’ve done. You have been so merciful to me. Please, forgive me for my crimes committed against you. I’m turning from sin. I believe You sent Jesus. I’m trusting in His work on the cross. Thank you so much, God.”

Weeks had come and gone. Reed was arriving to a village overseas with Tyrah. The both of them shared the Good News to many people with the help of a translator. They helped the people with everyday work and offered themselves to be of assistance.

A time came when the people of the village gathered around as Reed teached about sin, love, and God’s mercy.

A young man with curly black hair was in the audience. Reed and Tyrah had never seen him before. Sometime before the end of Reed’s preaching, the young man left. The people of the village had gladly received the message of Jesus Christ. There was much gladness and love thriving there.

Not long after Reed finished, the village was raid by a group of men in uniform with guns. The villagers were frightened.

The leader of the group of men walked into the open. He had a big mustache and a stern look. Beside him, in uniform, was the young man Reed and Tyrah had never seen before.

“Where is he?!” the boss of the men shouted.

The villagers stood in front of Reed and Tyrah.

“People will die if you do not bring him to me now,” the boss said. He aimed a gun at one of the villagers.

Reed tried to move forward, but the villagers wouldn’t let him go.

“Can you hear me?” the boss called out. “I’m speaking your language. Will you be a coward and let people die for you?”

Reed maneuvered passed the villagers keeping him save and stood in the open.

The young man with the curly hair pointed at Reed.

The boss told his men to grab him.

“That message you spoke here is illegal,” the boss said.

The men blindfolded Reed. They tied his hands together and took him away.

Tyrah began crying. She was comforted by the friends around her.

The villagers that didn’t believe saw how Reed stood out and didn’t flee for his life while he could. They understood the willing sacrifice and believed the Gospel.