Profiles in Christian Courage: Alan L.

Chicago has the toughest gun control laws in the nation. Yet in 2012, guns were used to murder 532 people. In other words, 1.5 Chicagoans we’re gunned down every single day of the year.

This post is not about the gun control; rather, it’s intended to emphasize that certain parts of Chicago are dangerous places to live. Most murders are black on black that occur primarily in black neighborhoods. Unfortunately, residents of these areas live in war zones where violence lurks around the corner.

Alan L. knows little firsthand about this situation. He is a white man living in the suburbs where the crime rate is low and murders are almost non-existent. But one day Alan unexpectedly came face to face with the realities of life in the inner city.

Darius, an intern at Alan’s church, is a black man, attending a local Christian college, who lived in one of those dangerous Chicago neighborhoods. God gave Darius a passion for racial reconciliation.

As a new Christian, Alan was deeply moved by Darius’ commitment to this noble cause. Darius and Alan began an unlikely friendship rooted in their love for Jesus Christ. Each Sunday they sat together at church, and often met for coffee in the relatively safe neighborhood surrounding the church.

One Sunday morning Darius extended an unexpected invitation to Alan. He asked his friend over to his home the following Sunday afternoon to watch the Chicago Bears football game. Alan immediately accepted the invitation, and then remembered that Darius lived in one of those dangerous neighborhoods.

The following six days comprised one of longest weeks of Alan’s life. His fear grew daily as he imagined being gunned down in a random drive-by shooting. Alan started thinking about calling Darius to cancel the outing. Alan even started formulating an excuse. Flu? The sudden death of his Aunt? A meteor that struck his house?

One night, as Alan’s terror reached fever-pitch, he was driving home listening to a local Christian radio station. At the top of the hour the announcer read the verse of the day. Having been a Christian for less than a year, Alan was not yet accustomed to the whispers of God, but God definitely whispered to Alan that night.

“And today’s verse of the day is Joshua 1:9,” the announcer said. “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (NASB).

The hairs on the nape of Alan’s neck stood on end. Instantly, he knew God had spoken to him. He immediately prayed, thanking God for His guidance and encouragement. Alan committed to keeping his appointment with Darius.

Darius wasn’t at church that Sunday morning, but was preaching the sermon at his home church. He promised to meet Alan at curbside and escort him inside. It was a promise that Darius was unable to keep. As is common in many black churches, the service ran long as people praised the Lord joyfully.

Alan arrived at Darius’ home to find that his friend was nowhere to be seen. He soon realized he was the only white face in the neighborhood. Window shades pushed aside as neighbors gazed out at this unusual sight. A white man was alone in his car in their neighborhood. They must’ve thought that Alan was lost, foolish, or crazy.

Ten minutes later Darius came running down the sidewalk. Out of breath, he apologized and explained his tardiness. The two men walked through Darius’s front door and enjoyed a wonderful time of fellowship. Of course, the Bears lost.

God has a way of meeting courage with His Presence. He notices the faith of His children, and provides the courage needed to meet the situation at hand. Alan will be forever grateful that he believed God’s radio promise, and successfully met this test of courage.

In an ironic twist, my middle name happens to be Alan, and my last name is Lake. What are the odds?