The Definition of: People

As I was walking down Eden (A street within route 1 where the Blue Bomber Crew does outreach), I began to think of people. People that I walk by in the mall, people I casually walk past in the stores, and people I see when I'm walking on the sidewalk. When I'm talking to the cashier, the co-worker, neighbor, friend, or stranger I began to think of every person that I have talked to in the past that most likely were lost.
As I thought of people that I have seen and people that I have walked by, been near to, or even talked to -complete strangers; I began to see faces that I have seen throughout the stores, the streets, in the windows of homes, in their cars, in the malls, in my school, in my neighborhood, in the restaurants. And I began to see the definition of 'people' within the faces I see when I walked down the streets of Eden, Cadillac, Lexington, and Williamsburg… I see the definition of 'people' when I stand within the doors of the children's homes I see every Saturday and Sunday. The definition is: Souls.
When I realized that every person I have been come in contact with for maybe no more than 1 min; that was my only chance to tell them who the Savior is.... and if not engaging in a full blown conversation, that was my chance to at least invite them to church. Don't get me wrong, just about every one has heard the name Jesus. But have they heard of his healing power, amazing grace, unconditional love, and his loving kindness? Have they even heard the full truth?
They are searching for something that will satisfy their inner thirst and hunger that this world cannot and never will satisfy. They've already tried everything the world had to offer them and have found out that it's not all it promotes itself to be. I'm talking about those that are depressed, oppressed, and desperate. Desperate for a change.
I don't know why, but when I was doing outreach this past Saturday, I began to think of people and the word 'souls' came to my mind. When I'm doing Saturday outreach I try now to talk to every person I can. Of course, I'd be wise about it. But even if I can't have a full on conversation with someone I throw a little smile and "hello" at them, while I hand them a bus or church card.
I was excited when I was able to sit down and personally talk with one of the boys that we pick up for Sunday school on Sunday mornings. His name is David. He's 12 years old and has the biggest attitude. I sat near him at a table within the apartment complex that is located on the street of Eden. I knew he would be smart with me and probably throw some comments but I talked to him anyways. Before I knew it I began explaining to him Repentance, Baptism and the Holy Ghost. He was looking at me funny as he finished eating his ice-cream but I knew he was listening. We talked for maybe no more than 5 min before he made an excuse that he needed to leave and left me sitting at the table. I watched him walk back into his apartment and even though he walked away with this smirk on his face as if he didn't hear a word I said, I knew I had sown into his life. And I'm so glad I took the time to talk to him. He is one of the boys I have worked so hard to come to Sunday School and David is one of the boys that I try so hard to keep coming consistently.
When I thought of people that I could have talked to and I didn't... it makes me realize that was probably my only chance to sow something into their lives and my only chance to reach out to them within the amount of time I had.
Not everyone is saved and with what I possess, I should be sowing something into every life that I can because I never know if that's my only and last chance to reach out to someone I may never see again in my life. The definition of people: souls. The definition of your co-worker, a classmate, a neighbor, a stranger: A soul.



Who have you reached out to?

A.N.