I Tell You Something!

1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect. (NIV)

I left my apartment to take my daily walk around the block with a few of my booklets in the basket of the walker that I use to get around with these days. I don't like to feel shut in and unable to meet people. Before I closed my door, I paused for a prayer, asking God to show me who I was to meet this time, and to whom these booklets were meant to be handed. I realized that I would meet both welcome and rejection.

I was already returning back home when I became aware that I still had all the booklets in the basket. I asked, Lord, what is happening? I decided to cross the street looking for prospects on the other side. There seemed to be no one around, and I was ready to face that fact when I saw an elderly man taking a rest, sitting on his walker's seat.

I greeted him with "Hello", and asked if he would care for my booklet. He looked at it first, and then, he took it from my hand.

He said, "I tell you something!" His words were full of praise to Jesus Christ and how he loves the Lord. Almost every sentence began with "I tell you something!" And on and on he went, about how Jesus was everything for him in his life. I could have listened to him all day! I was rejoicing with happy tears in my eyes for his witness to the fullness of salvation.

It felt so right that I had taken the other sidewalk, because after we parted, I met a young man who also took my booklet. With another who was not steady on his feet and actually bumped into my walker, due to drinking, I got into conversation after I asked him if he knew who Jesus is. He took the booklet and put it in his back pocket, and we parted. I thanked the Lord for my empty basket and for meeting these men who just seemed to appear from nowhere.

I began to think about the saying, "I tell you something!" How easily it goes together with the old words, "behold" and "verily". For example, God sent His message with the angel, saying, "Behold, I tell you something! I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10b-11 KJV). And Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Verily, verily, I tell you something! Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3 KJV).

I had been in great company during my walk, meeting a believer in Jesus Christ. I had wondered what might come after "I tell you something," so it was a delight to hear what followed. I was greatly blessed, and I will make sure that I ask the Lord to guide my future walks and fill them with surprises from above.

When we hear "I tell you something!" it is best to have our ears open to hear more of the good news of salvation:

Tell how He's gone back to heaven,
Up to the right hand of God:
How He is there interceding
While on this earth we must trod.
Tell of the sweet Holy Spirit
He has poured out from above;
Tell how He's coming in glory
For all the saints of His love.
       – Frances J. Crosby

Prayer: Lord God, without You, we can do nothing. With You, all things are possible. Grant us Your favour to walk the walk of faith all of our life, encouraged by believers in You and by the hope of eternal life through Jesus Christ, in Whose name, we pray! Amen!

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