Joanne - 1965 Part II

In, Joanne's mind, she was still living in the year 1965.  Through it all she retained one truth.  She knew there was a purpose for Jesus coming, dying and living again for a fallen mankind.  To her though, Jesus, died at four years old along with her and her dreams.  I wonder what might have happened to Joanne at a very early age to end up so... lost? 

How sad. 

Nothing or no one could convince Joanne to change her way of thinking.  So, with a short but sincere prayer that God would help her soul, she was dropped off in South Carolina at the motel she originally came from.  Only God knows what has become of this poor soul. 

"As it is written: There is none righteous, no, not one;  there is none who understands; there is none who seeks after God; they have all turned aside; they have together become unprofitable; there is none who does good, no, not one. Their throat is an open tomb; with their tongues they have practiced deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood; destruction and misery are in their ways; and the way of peace they have not known; there is no fear of God before their eyes." Romans 3:10-17

How many Joanne's have we Christians encountered?  My heart aches for her to come to repentance. The comfort we are given is that we know that His Word will not come back void.  I suppose that our "calling in Christ Jesus" was for those few moments we had with Joanne. We were told to simply plant the seed of the Gospel of the Good News of Jesus Christ and His salvation to she and indeed, all that are lost and in need of that "living water."

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: 'How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!'" Romans 10:14-15

Joanne's response to our plea to consider Jesus? She mocked Him and we for following Him. In no small way, we too were all "Joanne's" at one time or another - some of us were wretched, some clothed in fine apparel but, all doomed to destruction until God decided to chose us for salvation. Truly, except for God's grace, we all are Joanne's, living in our past, not considering our future and awaiting the demise of our very souls.

Let's not take one day for granted thanking our Savior for granting us mercy and grace when we did nothing to deserve His kindness to redeem us from destruction and gift us with eternal life with Him in His coming kingdom!

My prayer for us would be, "My dear Heavenly Father, Savior and Friend.  Thank you for saving this retched soul and making me whole.  Thank you for your mercy, patience, and kindness.  I thank you for your longsuffering and for choosing me before the foundations of the world.  Thank you for knowing me even before I was born.  My dear heavenly, Father help us to share the gospel of good news with everyone we meet and not showing favoritism before even speaking.  I love you Lord and I can't wait to meet you!"

In Him,

Elaine Bateman