Car on fire. I missed a big opportunity.

[1Tonne]

Over the weekend, I went to the park to share the Gospel. Upon returning to my car, I witnessed a concerning sight: another vehicle went past hastily, yet one of its tyres was blown and the wheel scraped against the ground, emitting smoke and sparks.
My instincts kicked in, suspecting foul play—a stolen car taken for a joyride. Fueled by excitement, I decided to tail the vehicle, intent on thwarting the thieves. However, after just a minute of pursuit, the car disappeared around a bend, leaving me momentarily puzzled.
Soon, I spotted it down a nearby driveway, smoke rising from the back right-hand side. Hastily turning around and parking outside the driveway to block any escape, I approached the scene. Small flames licked from the shredded tyre. If left, this would have spread not only engulfing the car but also to the adjacent house.
Then, a frail, elderly woman emerged from the house with a bucket of water. Grabbing it from her, I attempted to douse the flames to no avail. Urging her to fetch a hose, I ventured inside for another bucket, only to find the fire stubbornly persistent.
Thankfully, the woman returned with a hose, and after connecting it to the tap, I sprayed the underside of the car until the fire relented. It dawned on me then that she was the driver, unaware of how to change a punctured tyre. In a panicked moment, she rushed home at speed, hoping that the police would not see her.
With the crisis averted, I made sure the lady was OK before departing. Yet, halfway home, regret washed over me—I missed a crucial opportunity. I could have assisted her in changing the tyre and shared the Gospel with her while doing it. It was a missed chance, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Thinking back on what happened, I need to always keep an eye out for opportunities to talk about the Gospel and lend a hand whenever I can. Always be vigilant.

 

[AlexB23]

Over the weekend, I went to the park to share the Gospel. Upon returning to my car, I witnessed a concerning sight: another vehicle went past hastily, yet one of its tyres was blown and the wheel scraped against the ground, emitting smoke and sparks.
My instincts kicked in, suspecting foul play—a stolen car taken for a joyride. Fueled by excitement, I decided to tail the vehicle, intent on thwarting the thieves. However, after just a minute of pursuit, the car disappeared around a bend, leaving me momentarily puzzled.
Soon, I spotted it down a nearby driveway, smoke rising from the back right-hand side. Hastily turning around and parking outside the driveway to block any escape, I approached the scene. Small flames licked from the shredded tyre. If left, this would have spread not only engulfing the car but also to the adjacent house.
Then, a frail, elderly woman emerged from the house with a bucket of water. Grabbing it from her, I attempted to douse the flames to no avail. Urging her to fetch a hose, I ventured inside for another bucket, only to find the fire stubbornly persistent.
Thankfully, the woman returned with a hose, and after connecting it to the tap, I sprayed the underside of the car until the fire relented. It dawned on me then that she was the driver, unaware of how to change a punctured tyre. In a panicked moment, she rushed home at speed, hoping that the police would not see her.
With the crisis averted, I made sure the lady was OK before departing. Yet, halfway home, regret washed over me—I missed a crucial opportunity. I could have assisted her in changing the tyre and shared the Gospel with her while doing it. It was a missed chance, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Thinking back on what happened, I need to always keep an eye out for opportunities to talk about the Gospel and lend a hand whenever I can. Always be vigilant.

You actually did not miss any opportunity. She probably saw Christ in you, through your actions.

 

[1Tonne]

You actually did not miss any opportunity. She probably saw Christ in you, through your actions.

Thanks Alex. But many non-believers also do good things too. How can she tell I am a believer compared to a well-meaning non-believer? She couldn't. I should have spoken.

 

[AlexB23]

Thanks Alex. But many non-believers also do good things too. How can she tell I am a believer compared to a well-meaning non-believer? She couldn't. I should have spoken.

You're welcome, bro. Yeah, you could have spoken. Well hey, you will always have another opportunity.

 

[d taylor]

You actually did not miss any opportunity. She probably saw Christ in you, through your actions.

-
​

There is not an alternative to actually telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation. By belief in Jesus, believing that Jesus is who He says He is (the name of Jesus). which is the resurrection and the life The promised Messiah Son of God. This message of life can not be communicate by good deeds.

That simply can not be done by doing a good deed for a person, the good deed may make the person more receptive to the message of God's free gift of Eternal Life. But the deed is not the message of Eternal Life by belief in Jesus.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Do not miss believing in the name of Jesus or you will miss receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.


* Messiah and Son of God are the same names of Jesus, so if you believe Jesus is The Messiah, you are also believing Jesus is the Son of God

 

[AlexB23]

-
​

There is not an alternative to actually telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation. By belief in Jesus, believing that Jesus is who He says He is (the name of Jesus). which is the resurrection and the life The promised Messiah Son of God. This message of life can not be communicate by good deeds.

That simply can not be done by doing a good deed for a person, the good deed may make the person more receptive to the message of God's free gift of Eternal Life. But the deed is not the message of Eternal Life by belief in Jesus.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
She said to Him, “Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.”

And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

Do not miss believing in the name of Jesus or you will miss receiving God's free gift of Eternal Life salvation.


* Messiah and Son of God are the same names of Jesus, so if you believe Jesus is The Messiah, you are also believing Jesus is the Son of God

Thanks for the life pro tip. I am a Christian also, and believe that Jesus is the Messiah and Son of God.

 

[Richard T]

Thanks for sharing your heart on this. All I will say is we all have regrets that we missed God in saying something to someone. Usually all we can do is confess them and move on. I will be bold here though and say since you likely know her home, I think it would be interesting to consider just stopping by to see if she is OK, asking her if she got her car fixed or something like that. Perhaps prepare a note or card even beforehand and either give it to her or drop it off if she is not there. Still, even if that is out of the question, I love your heart to want to do more. Ask God to direct you to some key situations where the harvest is ripe. Know too that God has back up plans. Sometimes too God gives us failures or partial wins so we can be more ready the next time.

Though I could share about my misses, I will share a victory. Some decades ago, before I was to leave for the EU on a mission trip, I had the idea in my head to try some street preaching. So I grabbed a friend and went bold at a local State Fair. Once there, I stood on top of a picnic table and let it rip. I was shut down pretty quick and told to leave which I complied with. I don't remember my feelings but I think I did my part though likely it was mixed with disappointment.
Fast forward to Europe now a few months later and for the afternoon my mission group assigned teams to do evangelism. I was to lead a team of about 4 others and we were assigned the city square. As we were leaving, I felt like God told me to start things out by street preaching. Wow, again? Because of my past failure and experience though I was more prepared. Plus, I had seen a few others do it, though usually in a bigger groups and after a gospel skit was performed. When I got to the square I gave a few minutes of hopefully decent preaching of the gospel. When I was finished the team followed up individually talking to those that had heard the message. It was all pretty friendly, there was little or no resistance but the Spirit of God was all over this. The German girl in the group ended up talking with a German man who told her he was thinking of committing suicide. To the best I can recall every team member was a different nationality, but each had quality sharing with various individuals mostly in their own native language. It was like a perfect orchestra powered by God. Two of us shared with a street performer that breathed fire and walked on nails. A nice young man who listened but was not ready to accept Christ that day.
Fast forward to about two weeks later and I was assigned to a team to go door to door in the same city. It was a public housing subdivision about 10km away, and also a bit unusual as none of the mission group really went door to door. It was my first time in that city. Anyway, the second door we knocked on was answered by the street performer. There we were in his apartment and he knew it had to be God as he certainly never gave us his address. It did not take him long to accept Jesus that day. To me it demonstrates God's love and the lengths that He will go to sometimes to grab someone's attention.
I remember too that one of the people on a soul winning team back in the states shared that God broke her down to accept Jesus by only hearing someone tell her on the street that "Jesus Loves You." How can that be? Because all of our efforts are fairly pointless, but if the Holy Spirit is involved there is going to be results. Some water, some harvest and of course the word does not return void.
My only regret with the young man was I never followed up with him. My stay was rather short but I pray he did get discipled and flourished in God. Still, glory to God for the power to witness. May all of us have faith and the boldness in God to find and minister to the ones He wants us to connect with. Thanks 1tonne for sharing your story. I think that next time you will be far more ready.

 

[1Tonne]

Thanks Richard. You have put some thoughts into my head about what I can do for the lady. (I will post it up if I go through with it)
It is awesome that you are getting out there and sharing. Many don't but the Holy Spirit was given to us so that we would be His witnesses to all the ends of the earth. So, the Spirit will give us boldness, clarity and power to go out and share the Gospel with as many people as possible.
Also, I would not worry about the man that you did not do a follow-up on. After Phillip finished talking to the Ethiopian eunuch, it says that he left and there is a very, very good chance that he never saw that man again. But if God starts a work in someone, then He will complete it.

 

[Daniel Marsh]

Over the weekend, I went to the park to share the Gospel. Upon returning to my car, I witnessed a concerning sight: another vehicle went past hastily, yet one of its tyres was blown and the wheel scraped against the ground, emitting smoke and sparks.
My instincts kicked in, suspecting foul play—a stolen car taken for a joyride. Fueled by excitement, I decided to tail the vehicle, intent on thwarting the thieves. However, after just a minute of pursuit, the car disappeared around a bend, leaving me momentarily puzzled.
Soon, I spotted it down a nearby driveway, smoke rising from the back right-hand side. Hastily turning around and parking outside the driveway to block any escape, I approached the scene. Small flames licked from the shredded tyre. If left, this would have spread not only engulfing the car but also to the adjacent house.
Then, a frail, elderly woman emerged from the house with a bucket of water. Grabbing it from her, I attempted to douse the flames to no avail. Urging her to fetch a hose, I ventured inside for another bucket, only to find the fire stubbornly persistent.
Thankfully, the woman returned with a hose, and after connecting it to the tap, I sprayed the underside of the car until the fire relented. It dawned on me then that she was the driver, unaware of how to change a punctured tyre. In a panicked moment, she rushed home at speed, hoping that the police would not see her.
With the crisis averted, I made sure the lady was OK before departing. Yet, halfway home, regret washed over me—I missed a crucial opportunity. I could have assisted her in changing the tyre and shared the Gospel with her while doing it. It was a missed chance, and I couldn't help but feel frustrated.

Thinking back on what happened, I need to always keep an eye out for opportunities to talk about the Gospel and lend a hand whenever I can. Always be vigilant.

just go back to check on her, over coffee you can share your testimony