Can’t Give Up

July 2001

When I received the news I was flying the whole month of July with a flight attendant named Sherry who had quite a reputation, I asked God right away to give me His strength, wisdom, and discernment. I knew I truly needed to listen to God’s heart toward her and also her heart towards Him.

Journal entry dated July 16th:

Lord, show me how to share You with Sherry; she is so very lost. I hear You say, “She is lonely”.

July 17Th:

I believe I had a break through with Sherry. Our conversation was very natural as it seemed to flow easily. I told her about a cool church in the area she lived. She loved music and was very social, so I thought she would relate to this particular church which happened to be on fire for Jesus. While in different conversations with Sherry, I could hear how empty her life was, she was chasing after an empty world. She loved drinking and partying and had no idea it leads only to a dead end; she was robbing herself of life which only comes through Jesus.

July 23rd:

Flying with Sherry again, I’m waiting for You Lord, to open her heart and mind to truly hear from You. Lord, You are a gentleman, and You do not push Your way into a heart until invited, so touch her heart, put a desire in her for You.

July 24th:

I invited Sherry to go to church with me whenever she’s in town. She said yes, but was still holding on to something she didn’t want to give up.

I prayed, “God replace her “fun” with Your “fun, joy and blessings.”

I could see how satan wants to rip us off. He likes to tantalize us with a variety of fancy lures, but ultimately all he wants to do is destroy us. There’s a misconception in our society today that sin brings pleasure; sin is fun, there’s happiness in a little escapade here and a little carnality there. But in the end, it only grieves our hearts and robs our lives.

On this trip, I was also flying with a man named Blake. I had a short conversation with him on the jump seat. He explained to me he had just ended a bad relationship with a crazy woman who claimed to be a Christian. Blake shared how she did a lot of talking about her faith, but no walking. This left a bad taste in his mouth regarding Christian’s. He told me he never believed in God but was now wondering if He really existed. He was reading the “Left Behind” series, and soon became very interested in reading the Bible.

“Lord, You are amazing and can use anything, even a bad relationship to sparkle an interest in You. Lord, thank you for letting me see the effect on a soul when a Christian is not surrendered to You. I pray for Blake’s soul Jesus, save him.”

On landing, Sherry asked me how to find the peace which I have in my own life.

Then she asked, “Why do I have to give up partying and drinking and men?

I said, “God will replace those things with something so much better, but it’s your choice.” I explained to her all she needed to do was repent to the Lord for her sins, sins He was already aware of. He wanted so much for her to admit to her sins, ask for forgiveness, and then in turn, He would wash all her sins away. I continued to share how Jesus longed for her to ask Him into her life, to believe in Him, and desire to live for Him, not she. Through accepting Him into her heart, He will give her a new life. She then asked if she could have both-Him and partying. The truth was no, but He would help her live for Him, she just had to let Him. She absolutely did not like this answer at all. She couldn’t give up her lifestyle.

Lord, please show her how empty partying is. Please prepare me for tomorrow. She is asking questions now.

July 27th:

Our flight was delayed two hours, so Blake, Sherry and I had lunch together. As Sherry put it…all we did discuss God. They were both reading the “Left Behind” series; and both were seeking answers. Blake shared a few strange things which had been happening, and believed God was behind them.

First, before beginning the trip with me, a friend of his was in the flight attendant lounge looking up a question on the computer Blake had regarding the Bible. He gave him the scriptures to look up for himself. Blake explained he was anxious to get to the hotel to read the hotel Bible. On the first flight of the day, someone had left their Bible behind. He thought this was rather strange. He brought the Bible to the front of the airplane in the event the owner would come looking for it. After he left, he came back, and the Bible was gone. On the second flight, it happened again, a Bible was left behind. “God”, he said, “You must be telling me something”.

He then picked up the bible, and began reading it. He admitted to being turned off by God and church because of his ex-girlfriend. I then shared how the same thing happened to me when I was eighteen; I was watching the people instead of keeping my eyes on God. People always mess up, God never does. God is faithful. At this point, Sherry had enough, and jumped into the conversation with negative input. She shared how she does not want to give up drinking and partying for anyone, not even God. When she said this, I jumped back into the conversation and said, “I didn’t do the changing in my life, God did it.” I couldn’t change in my own strength, but God can do anything, and He stepped in and helped me. But the choice was mine. Just like the choice is yours. You do not have to choose Him, but the truth is, He loves you just the way you are.”

Later, I just prayed. Lord, let her meet You in a personal, loving way. She’s in bondage and is not aware of it. She is devoted to destruction; please remove this desire from her. Free her. Help her see You alone satisfy. Thank you Father for bringing me out of bondage!!! Thank you for Your freedom and grace! I’ve been there Lord, and You saved me. You saved me from me, I pray this for Sherry. Break the rebellion in Sherry’s heart and have victory in her life. Give her eternity, be her lover of her soul. In Jesus name Amen.

July 30th:

God’s timing was perfect. My flight schedule was changed, which meant I was in the flight attendant lounge earlier than originally planned. I bumped into Blake. He shared God was doing some cool things, and wanted to know of a church like mine in his area. I gave him three addresses. Wow! God, Your timing is so incredible, so perfect! I know You are going to do something wonderful in Blake’s soul.

I am unaware of the end result of what God is doing in the life of Sherry or Blake; their story belongs to the Lord. The Lord is teaching me I may never know until I get to Heaven, but to be faithful and obedient when He asks me to speak on His behalf, and to share the beautiful love of Jesus with who ever He sends.