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Jul 05, 2025 06:00am

The Elevator

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I stood in a hotel elevator, half-dressed, looking for some spring break fun. I was 20 years old, in Daytona Beach for the week with some college friends. As we stood in the elevator, heading somewhere we had no business going, the door opened, and another group of college students joined us. They smiled at me and handed me a gospel tract. They didn’t say much—just asked how we were and told us that Jesus loved us, that He loved us no matter what. Then, as they reached their floor, they exited the elevator.

The moment lasted maybe 60 seconds, but it’s been etched in my mind for over 20 years now. I remember feeling shame sweep over me, my cheeks flushing with embarrassment. I knew better. I was a believer. I knew the Word of God. But as I looked down at that gospel tract, I thought, “What am I doing? Who have I become?” And yet, despite that moment of conviction, I continued through that spring break week as if the Lord hadn’t just spoken directly to my heart. And I remained miserable inside.

Even though God was faithful to me, I wasn’t being faithful to Him. I was claiming His blessings, yet not following His Word—something that is always a disaster waiting to happen. I was running from Him, hurt and broken, seeking acceptance and love from all the wrong places. But here’s the thing—He never stopped being faithful to me. He never stopped chasing me. He pursued me with lovingkindness and tender mercy—even while I was disappointing Him.

He used that group of believers, who didn’t judge me, look down on me, or criticize me. They looked past our clothes, past the alcohol on our breath, past what the world saw. They cared about us. They cared about our souls. They were vessels for the Holy Spirit.

I wish I could say that night changed my course. Unfortunately, I’m too hard-headed for that. But God remained patiently faithful to my wayward heart. At long last, I got the point, and I surrendered to His pursuit, to His faithfulness. I’ve never been the same. He changed my heart. He changed my life. And that’s why I love Him so. That’s why I owe everything to Him. His love and faithfulness are my life’s story and song.

Hey, you—yeah, you—this is non-judging me reaching out to you in your “elevator” moment.

If you’ve strayed from God, please know that He has never once stopped loving you. Stop looking to people, places, or things to satisfy the void within you. You will remain miserable and hopeless. Only Jesus can truly satisfy the deepest desires of your heart. He is pursuing you and chasing after you. He desires reconciliation, closeness, and fellowship with you. He knows everything about you, and still, He loves you. He loves you with an overwhelming, endless love.

Is He stirring your heart even now? Respond to Him.

If you don’t know Jesus the way I do, please understand that He is waiting for you with open arms. Turn to Him. Surrender to Him. Believe in Him through faith. I promise you, you will never be the same. It will be the absolute best thing you will ever, ever do.

Is He stirring your heart even now? Respond to Him.

I believe in you. And so does He.

Psalms 86:15 – But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.

Lamentations 3:22–23 – It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness.

2 Peter 3:9 – The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.

Psalm 103:1–5 – Bless the Lord, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless His holy name. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.