It is possible to return
Author
Alberto González Muñoz
Summary: The author met a man on a bus who had once been a Christian but had abandoned his faith. He expressed regret and said that those were the happiest years of his life. The author encouraged him to return to God, and although he promised to try, the man has not contacted him. The author encourages readers to pray for those who have abandoned their faith, as many people have returned to faith after years of remoteness and spiritual apathy.
I was traveling on a bus to the city of Santa Clara (Cuba) talking with my seatmate, who seemed the same age. For me he was an unknown person, just one more passenger who boarded the bus during the long journey along the old Central Highway of the country. After a while of small talk, when trying to share the gospel with him, the man told me: - When I was young I heard a lot about what you say.
By explaining how and where, we discovered that we both studied at the same school in the city of Cárdenas, Matanzas. He mentioned the same teachers that I had, the same church, the same preachers that I heard in the services that were held there. In a school of 1200 students, he was an internal student and I was an external student and we attended different services. Besides, 47 years had passed! We both enjoyed our conversation. Although we did not know each other, we shared common memories. What struck me the most was his insistence on repeating over and over: —They were the sweetest and happiest years of my life. Then I abandoned the faith and everything changed.
When we said goodbye, because he got off the bus before I did, he told me:
"I'd give anything to turn back… but I can't." There is a lot of life involved.
"What do you mean by a lot of life involved?"
And he replied: Many years, many entanglements ... mistakes ... compromises, a lot of stupidity. It's too late. But what a happy time that was!
I insisted that it is never too late to return to God, that he could let the seed of faith germinate that he once planted in his life and he promised me that he would try. I wish I did. I have not heard from him even though I gave him my phone number and email address. There are many people like him everywhere. Someone invited them or took them to church in childhood, someone told them about Christ, they enjoyed beautiful activities, believed in God, and prayed to him. Then everything changed. They may think that there is no hope but there is. Jesus Christ said: "He who comes to me I will not cast out."
Why don't you pray for all the people you remember in that condition? Like many others, they can return. In my long ministry, I have seen many, many people who, through similar experiences, have returned to faith after many years of remoteness and spiritual apathy. If we pray for so many people who are like this, we will make their way back easier.
God bless you!