A tough-looking cowpoke, in town to get supplies, walked into the general store, a six-shooter holstered on his gun belt.
When the cowpoke finished his shopping and went back outside, he found that his horse had been stolen. He whipped out his revolver and fired off a few rounds to get everyone’s attention.
“I’m going to walk back into the store for two minutes, and when I come back out here, I want to find my horse tied right where I left him or I’ll have to do here what I had to do in Dodge City,” he told the terrified townspeople.
When he walked back out, his horse was there, tied to the hitching post. As he saddled up to leave, one of the locals approached him cautiously, and said, “Mister, we’d just like to know. What exactly did you have to do in Dodge City?”
The cowpoke squinted, spit in the dust, and said: “I had to walk all the way back to camp.”
I expect we’ve all had occasion to meet people who, on first impression, seemed fearsome, only to find out later they were anything but.
My friend Darrell Poplin, over in the Appalachian region, is like that. He is a big man. We went to church together when I lived there years ago, and I always enjoyed doing door-to-door evangelism with Darrell in rough neighborhoods. That’s because, on first impression, Darrell was a powerful sight. But actually this tall, barrel-chested giant of man who once was a Navy boxer is one of the nicest men I’ve ever known, a true Christian gentleman.
Darrell is proof that first impressions can be deceiving.
John the Baptist made an incredible first impression when he appeared on the scene just ahead of Jesus’ public ministry. He came strolling into town in a camel-hair coat. It didn’t take folks long to learn he also loved to eat locusts with honey.
People flocked to John to be baptized. Then came the day that John pointed to Jesus on the banks of the Jordan River and declared: “Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).”
On that day, John had the privilege to be the first person to introduce others to Christ.
Here’s an awesome thought: You could potentially have the privilege of being the last to introduce others to Christ.
You see, one day soon the window of opportunity will close for accepting Jesus as Savior. Once he returns, it will be too late. That’s why Christians are always sharing the Gospel. And that’s why, at some point, someone will be the last person to introduce others to Christ.
Let’s not be like the tough-talking cowpoke who simply made noise. Let’s be about the Lord’s business, telling the world about him before it’s too late.
Roger Alford of Owenton, Kentucky, offers words of encouragement to residents of America’s heartland. Reach him at rogeralford1@gmail.com.
