Come on in. Have a seat and relax. Listen to a story of how God is meeting men through The Journey and taking them to new heights. We are truly part of something special that God is doing, and we need to tell the stories. "Every man has a story and every story is worth hearing." In addition to the Influencers Weekly Devotional, you will receive a "Story of Influence" each week. Be encouraged. If you would like to submit a story, email it to
[email protected].
When a man begins abiding in Christ and letting Him transform his heart, he embarks upon a process which theologians call, "sanctification." It is a purifying, refining process. It also called, "pruning" in John 15. Listen to a firsthand account from Tom, a former Wal-Mart executive, who just completed his first Journey group. God is teaching Tom about forgiveness.
Tom writes:
I was invited to participate in an Influencer Journey Group with six other men in September of 2011. The purpose of a Journey Group is to bring you into a personal relationship with God. The Journey has had a profound impact on my life. The Journey Group disciples a person to become a disciple to others, who will disciples others. It is exactly the way Christianity spread two thousand years ago. Not only do I have a real relationship with God, but I understand who the Holy Spirit is. He lives within me and guides me through every day. As part of establishing a close relationship with God, you are made to realize that you need to forgive those that have offended you and to ask forgiveness of those you have offended. Now, understanding that I only became a Christian six years ago, I have offended a lot of people over my lifetime. I have to tell you a short story. I call it the David story.
One morning I was walking on the indoor track at the Wal-Mart Fitness Center. I began thinking about apologizing to people I have offended. I was trying to think of their names and what I had done to them. I then started thinking that I hadn't seen some of these people for years, and I didn't know if they were alive or where they might live. Finally, I decided to pray. I asked God to remind me of someone that I have offended and I needed for that person to forgive me. Immediately, David's name popped into my head. I had been retired from Wal-Mart for fifteen years and David had left before I retired. David was a civil engineer for me. Every Saturday after the Wal-Mart Saturday morning meeting, I would have a site and grading plan meeting. All civil engineers, architects, construction managers and real estate managers were required to attend. At the meeting, the civil engineer would present his plans for new store projects which were almost ready to be placed out to bid. The real estate manger would be able to comment on the current status of any real estate issues and the architect could do the same for architectural issues. Once the civil engineer presented the plan, it would be reviewed by the group and we all could make comments or recommendations for improvements. I thought that this was a great learning experience for everyone and kept people informed on the status and issues.
However, David was particularly narrow minded and defensive. Any suggestion for improvement or change, particularly if it were made by me, would cause an argument with him. Usually, the result would be that I would embarrass David in front of his peers and I would embarrass myself. I hated these confrontations. Fortunately, David decided to leave Wal-Mart before I had to terminate him. While I was walking on the track, I started thinking about all of those times with him. I said to God, "God, I don't know where David is or if he is even alive. Would you please forgive me for all of the offensive things that I said to him? If David is still alive, I pray that you will bless him and his family." I left the fitness center and went to work.
Before noon, I left for lunch and locked my front door. My son was gone that day and I was the only one in the office. When I returned from lunch I went in the side door to the office and left the front door locked. We develop shopping centers and we don't have walk-in business. Usually, we leave the front door locked in the afternoon. I was sitting behind my desk and I heard what sounded like the front door opening, but I really paid it no mind. I felt a presence standing in front of my office door. I looked up to see David standing at the entrance. I was totally shocked. I said, "David?" and he said, "Tom?" I asked, "How did you get in here?" He said, "I walked through the front door." I laughed, got up from my chair and went to the door and gave him a hug.
I asked him to forgive me for all of the times I mistreated him at Wal-Mart. He did forgive me, and then he said that sometimes he was stubborn just to make me mad. He then asked me to forgive him. I gladly did. I told him what had occurred this morning on the track while I was talking to God. We talked and caught up with each other for about thirty minutes. The only words I have to explain what happened are that "It was a God thing."
I have written the David Story for several reasons. I have four grandchildren, and I want them to know that God answers prayers and still does miracles. I want to encourage others, both believers and non-believers, to know that God is real. My story isn't finished. It will continue as long as God permits me to live. I plan to continue serving him, and I believe that He will continue guiding me the rest of my days.
