Many of you who read this little paper know or have heard of our dear friends, Mae and Ernest. They owned and operated a small grocery store in Southern California where they sought and found many opportunities to "speak well of Christ." Indeed, selling food for the body took second place in their hearts to the far more important occupation of presenting to all corners the free Gift of God, the Bread of Life, Jesus the Lord.
Among those who thus heard the Word, the good news of salvation, brought faithfully and frequently before them, was a young salesman for a large meatpacking concern. Known to Mae and Ernest as "Red Gus"— for his hair was of that fiery hue— he had solicited their account at a time when other such concerns ignored, apparently, the small businesses in favor of the more profitable large chain stores. To our young friends, Red Gus was God's answer to their need and prayers, for their meats, bought from other packers, had for some time proved to be inferior and unsatisfactory in many ways. The new salesman seemed to take special interest in filling their orders with his highest grade products.
As the years passed, Red Gus listened often to the sweet story of God's love to sinners, and just as often was warned of the eternal sorrow and loss awaiting those who refused God's grace in giving His dear Son to die for unregenerate, lost men.
Was it stubbornness or was it pride that kept this otherwise amiable young man from bowing the knee in truth to Him who, he acknowledged, was indeed Creator of all things? We suspect it was both, for although he repeatedly enjoyed the hospitality and friendship of these his customers, his answer to their pleas that he accept the Savior and His mighty work of love on Calvary was always a firm shake of the head accompanied by a cynical smile. How God must hate such stubbornness! "For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry." 1 Sam. 15:2323For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the Lord, he hath also rejected thee from being king. (1 Samuel 15:23).
Pride too was an integral part of Red's very being. During the war he had been in the Naval Air Force and, as a reserve pilot, he spent much flying time on holidays and week-ends with the new jet planes. Aviation was his, favorite topic, and exultingly he would say: "I just pull back on the stick, and up I go into the wild blue yonder." Time after time Mae reminded him of the dangers he faced, and of the eternity ahead. His answer was: "When my time's up, I've got to go." No sweet anticipation was there of seeing our altogether lovely Savior nor of the joys awaiting the redeemed in the Father's house.
On a Friday, Red Gus was late coming into the store for his order and several customers were requiring attention. There was no time for conversation with the young man; but, as he received his weekly order from his friend Ernest, he announced exuberantly his plan to be "in the air" most of the week-end. With unusual solemnity Mae said: "Remember, Red, 'it's appointed unto man once to die, but after this the judgment."
"Yes, I know," he cried, waving his hand gaily in good-bye. "I've got to go!"
A busy Saturday followed, and then a precious Lord's Day. After the evening meeting where dear Mae and Ernest had been refreshed and encouraged in hearing a powerful gospel message, they had just returned home when the phone rang. It was one of their best customers who bore bad tidings. "I don't want to be an alarmist," she said, "but, Mr. Wilson, have you heard that the salesman from the packing house has crashed? And they haven't found him yet."
During the afternoon, "high fog," so common to the California coast, had rolled in from the Pacific with unusual density, obscuring land, sea, and sky. Woe to any traveler who in this all-enveloping gray mist had lost his bearings!
And poor Red Gus was lost. What panic must have seized him at the realization! He called in to the base for his bearings: "I'm lost out over the ocean," was his cry.
At the base they had him on their radar screen, and had thought he had his bearings. Quick came the reply, "Red, you're heading into the side of the mountain up and over!"
Too late. No time now for Red to "pull back on the stick." Next day they found the wreckage man and plane broken to bits and nearly buried by the impact.
Red had met his appointment with death; and when his time came, he had to go.
Dear one wandering away from God, the only road back is by way of the cross. Jesus Himself is "the way, the truth and the life," as that same sixth verse of John fourteen states. Will you not accept Him as your Savior and Lord now? Time is nearly gone and eternity is just ahead.