His name was Bill. He had wild hair, wore a T-shirt full of holes, old jeans, and no shoes. That was his look all through college. Brilliant and a little eccentric, Bill was also deeply thoughtful.
During his years at school, Bill became a Christian.
Across from the campus stood a very traditional, conservative church. The congregation wanted to reach out to students, but they weren’t sure how.
One Sunday, Bill decided to visit. He walked in just as the service was starting—barefoot, in his T-shirt and jeans, hair as wild as ever. He started down the crowded aisle, looking for a seat. There wasn’t one.
People shifted uncomfortably but said nothing. When Bill finally reached the front, he simply sat down cross-legged on the carpet. At a college fellowship, no one would have thought twice about it. But in that church, it had never happened before. The tension in the room grew heavy.
From the back, an elderly deacon began making his way toward Bill. He was in his eighties, dignified in his three-piece suit, walking carefully with a cane. The church grew silent except for the slow clicking of his steps. Everyone wondered how he would handle this. Surely, they thought, you couldn’t expect a man of his age and background to understand a barefoot college kid sitting on the floor.
It seemed to take forever for him to reach the front. When he finally did, he dropped his cane to the ground. With great effort, he lowered himself and sat down beside Bill, worshiping right there on the carpet so the young man wouldn’t be alone.
The church was overcome with emotion.
When the minister finally spoke, his voice was steady but full of meaning:
“What I’m about to preach, you may not remember. But what you’ve just seen—you will never forget.”
Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read.
~Jude Seddon~
