No sex tonight sir, sorry

I was walking from one train to the next last night (in a clean, well-lit area) and a well-dressed man walked past me, muttering something as he was approaching.
Not having made out quite what he'd said, I asked "I'm sorry sir-- I didn't quite catch that. Could you repeat yourself?"

"hey-- can I freak you tonight?"

Oh-- was that all?

I responded, "No sir, I'd rather not, but I'd love to go to a bar with you and discuss how your supposed need for sex is really just an expression of your need for intimacy with Christ."

He acquiesced and we chatted into the wee hours of the morning.




okay, not really.

my response was "Oh. Um, no but thanks for asking. Have a nice night."

Had I been with people, though, and I'm sure this is going to get me into trouble with some, I would have absolutely found a coffee shop or 24-hour place to hang out and talk with him about his misplaced passion.

I believe that people are all the time walking by, and we too often pass up opportunities.

And really-- this man walked past me and had no qualms about not only asking me for sex, but also repeating himself when I hadn't heard him.
Sex. For his needs.

But what about hope. For his needs?

What if I walked past people and said "hey-- can I give you hope tonight" as we passed on the streets?
Would they stop?
Even if they didn't, what could be the worse that would happen?
They'd think I was weird?

This wasn't the first time I'd been propositioned, not by far.
And I know many friends in the same boat.
There seem to be quite a few men in Chicago walking around asking random women for sex or sexual favors.
Culturally, I know it's something that happens.

What if we walked around asking if we could give people hope?
What would happen then?

What if i got a cardboard sign and sat on a corner for hours, with the sign saying "I'd love to offer you hope for free if you'd only listen for a few minutes."

Who would listen?

I'm sure they would

Maybe I just need to get a little uncomfortable and unconventional in my evangelism. Why not use the culturally accepted things (random comments to strangers, cardboard signs, cigarettes and lights) to spark conversations about eternal things?

Maybe that's what I'll do when I graduate Moody...