That Sunday was a cold winter day. The parking lot for the church will soon be full. When I got out of the car, I noticed some church members whispering as they entered the church.
As I approached, I saw a man leaning against the wall outside the church. He is almost lying down, as if asleep. He is wearing a long trench coat that is almost in tatters and a hat on his head, which is pulled very low, so you can't see his face. He is wearing shoes that look 30 years old. They are too small for his feet. There are holes everywhere and his toes are exposed.
I thought the man was homeless and asleep, so I went through the church door. We all got together for a few minutes, and someone brought the man lying outside. People snickered and gossiped, but no one bothered to invite him in, including me.
After a while, the church began. When the door of the church opened, we were all waiting for the priest to take his place and preach to us. A homeless man came in, walking along the corridor with his head down. People gasped, whispered and made faces. He crossed the aisle, went to the pulpit and took off his hat and coat. My heart sank. There stood our missionary ... he was a "homeless man".
Nobody said a word. The preacher picked up his Bible and put it on the platform. "Folks, I don't think I need to tell you what I'm going to say today." Then he began to sing the lyrics of this song:
"If I can help others when I pass by.
If I can encourage someone with words or songs.
If I can tell someone that he is going the wrong way.
Then my life won't be in vain. "