You Never Know Who Is Listening In The Pew.

In my devotional reading I came across this interesting illustration I thought was
worthy of sharing. Max Lucado writes, John Egglen had never preached a sermon in his
life. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to, just he never needed to. Colchester, England was
buried in white. When he awoke on that January Sunday morning in 1850, he thought
of staying home. Who would go to church in such weather? But he reconsidered. He
was, after all, a deacon. And if the deacons didn’t go, who would? So, he put on his
boots, hat, and coat and walked the six miles to the Methodist church.

He wasn’t the only member who considered staying home. In fact, he was one of a
few who came. Only 13 people were present. 12 members and 1 visitor. Even the
minister was showed in. Someone suggested they go home. Egglen would hear none of
that. They had come this far; they would have a service. Besides, they had a visitor – a
13 year old boy.

But who would preach? Egglen was the only deacon there, so it fell on him. And so he
did. His sermon lasted only ten minutes. It drifted and wandered and made no point in
an effort to make several. But at the end an uncharacteristic courage settled upon the
man. He lifted his eyes and looked straight at the boy and challenged: ‘Young man,
look to Jesus. Look! Look! Look!”

Did that challenge make a difference? Let the boy, now a man, answer: I did look and
then and there the cloud on my heart lifted, the darkness rolled away, and at that
moment I saw the sin.’ This boy's name was Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Did John Egglen know who this 13 year old boy was and what he would become? Future leaders sitting in our pews are waiting for the clouds to be rolled back so the Son can shine brightly on their life. We just never know the impact God can have on individuals because of our faithfulness.