From Russia with blogs | 1st impression

… feeling the joy of the angels

Certain strangers can be picked out right away. And when you pick them out, there is a concern that appears on the inside. Once, a man came to our service and instantly began to attract attention. The service had already begun and the worship team was playing a song. It was obvious that this man was alcoholic due to his swollen face and ragged clothes, and he behaved like a former convict.

Deep inside, I prepared myself for problems. He acted in a challenging, confrontational manner. He spoke loudly and laughed often while the rest of the church praised God. Of course, others became distracted by his behaviour. He did not shy away from starting a dialogue with them. There was no rudeness or aggression from his side, but the usual peaceful atmosphere common to our worship services was absent too. Some of the displeased “veterans of faith” in our church began to turn around and give him direct looks, as if suggesting that only their exceptional holiness and integrity stood in the way of them getting up and showing the obnoxious gentleman the door.

The situation became critical. More and more people drew their attention to the person and not the worship experience. Then he left for a smoke. I decided to take advantage of the moment and to tell to him that such behaviour is inappropriate in church. When I approached him and greeted him, he replied with a smirk on his face, “It is nice here, of course, but I turned away from God because He turned away from me when I was in trouble.”

Suppressing the drive to become God’s advocate, I began to listen to the story. He was my age, but his story was more troubling than mine. He was left without parents when he was only seven. After that, he spent eight years in prison. Then for five years he hopped from one job to another. By the time we were talking , he was not working anywhere because he abused alcohol. He drank so much because his wife left him. The end was near.

I carefully asked whether he wanted to turn the situation around. He responded that he did not believe it was possible. He then went back inside the corps, but remained quiet. During the service he went outside to smoke on a few occasions and every time I came along with him to have a conversation. He asked me how I ended up in The Salvation Army, and I told him about my life.  My story was not as dramatic as his, but it appeared that the testimony of God’s work in my life left an impression on him. After I offered to pray for him, we both prayed a prayer of repentance.

When I opened my eyes, this man, who spent eight years in prison, wept like a child. I understood his hurt and so I did not stop him. Then we entered the building. A few of the “holy” ones once again turned around to stare down the intruder. But this time, contrary to my first impression, I looked at the man differently. While partly feeling the joy of the angels above about this newly-won soul, I was also disappointed with myself for allowing my first impression of this man to dictate my evaluation of him.

The first impression can be a false one. Of this much I became certain once again.

 Writer: Captain Vadim Khurin was born into a family of circus artists. He joined The Salvation Army in 1995 and is now an officer serving in St. Petersburg, Russia. He loves music, sports, reading and learning. He has a beautiful wife - Inna - and three children. He likes to ask hard questions and find different ways of helping people get back their wholeness and integrity.

1 Comment to From Russia with blogs | 1st impression

1. Captain: Thank you for your compassion. You are a hero. Keep up the good work.
John Norton on January 7th, 2009

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