This past winter, I was in search of a specific tool for a project at home. I went to my usual big box hardware store (name withheld so as not to offend anyone). I wandered through the store looking for this small obscure tool. I eventually approached the “help” desk in the department I believed the tool should be in.

    

As soon as I approached the person, I knew this was not going to be good. Keeping his eyes fixed on his phone, he asked what I wanted, to which I replied with a description of the tool I was looking for. Keeping his phone gaze at full strength, he pointed to the department I had already looked in and said, “Try row…” (I don’t remember the number). “If it’s not there I would guess we don’t have anything like that.”

 

I walked away frustrated, but went and looked anyhow to discover it wasn’t there – in fact, the row number could not have even been a close guess.

 

I took my search to another big box hardware store (name withheld so as not to promote it). I did my same search. However, while on this great adventure, a store employee approached me. With a smile, she said, “Sir, you look like you are looking for something. Can I help you?”

 

I explained what I was looking for and she said she had never heard of such a thing, but that she would take me to someone that might know. Together, we walked across the store where she thought the tool might be and found an associate. I explained what I was looking for. He immediately told me they did not have what I was looking for and apologized. The young woman accompanying me thanked her associate for helping and apologized, and said at least she now knew they did not carry the tool and if there was anything else I needed help with.

 

These two encounters struck me in how we approach reaching the lost. The first store reminded me of people who claim to follow Christ, but put up walls when those in need approach or are wandering near to them. In contrast, the team at the second store took notice that I was lost and walked with me. This reminds me of the faithful follower of Christ who keeps a lookout for the lost and approaches them to assist them in finding and following Christ.

 

Although I didn’t find the tool I was looking for (and haven’t found it yet), I did determine in my mind to begin faithfully shopping at the second store, where the associates took the time to approach me. Imagine how many guests enter in the doors of churches throughout our country and never get approached and decide in the first few minutes this is not the church for them.

 

Will you be a part of helping make PHBC a welcome and friendly place for our guests? Who knows, you just might help someone looking lost find exactly what they need!