The Gospel & "Druggy Boy" Posted 2.14.09

As I was meditating on Paul's imprisonment in Rome, the Holy Spirit impressed this on my heart. He reminded me of the time I went to jail.

My car had been stolen a week earlier and the thief ripped out the key entry in the ignition. Once I finally got the car back I had to use the end of a spoon handle to start my car because of the damage. Well one of these “spoon keys” happened to be in my sink when it was plugged up with grease a couple days earlier. I had bought some draino and poured it into the drain and the potency of it discolored that particular spoon. Wouldn’t you know it, one day I was parked on the wrong side of the road and a cop stopped me to give me the lecture. As he rebuked me, he happened to notice the spoon in the passenger seat had some noticeable discoloration. Instantly, he flared up and told me to get out the car immediately. I had no idea what was going on and believe it or not I thought I was on Candid Camera. I don't know why...but I was actually looking for the hidden cameras.

 Well this just made the officer more irate and he ordered me in a stern obstreperous tone  “Get out of the car now” as he placed his hand on his Billy club, symbolizing to me the seriousness of the situation. In disbelief I complied and was immediately ordered to lay down on the ground in front of my apartment; as he sternly placed his knee on my back and proceeded to handcuff me and read my Miranda rights. . Then as he helped me up and began to sarcastically call me “druggy boy.” " Where are the drugs druggy boy?" I tried to explain I had absolutely no idea what he was talking; but he did not believe me and proceeded to call two backup units. As the two officers approached he raised my spoon in victory into the air and loudly proclaimed  “I got another one.”  Again, I tried to explain my dilemma but he kept calling me druggy boy and told me to save my story for downtown.

So they gave me a police escort, handcuffed me to a bench, and locked me in a 9x9 cell. The best way to describe what was happening intrinsically was that I was highly irate because I couldn't believe these “idiots” could make such a stupid mistake. After being interrogated for about an hour, the captain told me my story checked and he apologized for the inconvenience. I was free to go pending the lab results of my spoon. Anyhow, the experience made me so mad that I heeded some advice and hired a lawyer to file a lawsuit against the city of Portland. The reason of course was because I was humiliated; but also because I had been told I could get some money. Anyhow, when all was said and done, yes, I received a check, but it did not bring me the satisfaction I had hoped. Looking back at the whole situation, I realize that I did not take this opportunity to be a good witness for Jesus, not to mention advancing the gospel for his kingdom. I was utterly completely focused on my circumstances….my injustice….my humiliation.....that I could not see the bigger and more important picture.  Unlike Paul, I wanted to advance my own agenda; not Christ's agenda for that particular trial. I did not see this as an opportunity hand delivered to me by God.

I realized the hardest thing to do during suffering...during those dark periods in our lives...during those times when the weight of the world is on our shoulders.... is to see beyond our earthly predicament and look at it through the lenses of God's providential hand. God uses suffering as a powerful tool to advance the gospel because when you experience those bleak times in life; usually you have the attention of others, in some cases unbelieving acquaintances, friends, and or relatives. That is the best time to shine your light for Jesus. For me, it was the best time to share the gospel with the officer that called me druggy boy, along with his captain.  It is also the best time for you to shine when the bill collector calls to collect, when a relationship becomes bitter, or when you are in the hospital facing the possibility of death. In the end,  God uses suffering as an opportunity to seize the moment and advance the gospel in the same fashion that Paul the apostle did in a Roman prison. So as you go through the various trials in your life, may you emulate Paul and not prideful people like me. May you have eyes to see those opportunities in the midst of the dark clouds of the life. May you always realize your predicament can be the rainbow for God’s glory.