Liam needed to go into town. He headed for the town’s large department store because he wanted to buy a gift for his girlfriend. He had been walking around the store for an hour or more and was still unable to find that special present so he decides to leave it for another day. He decides not to take the stairs for once and makes his way over to the lift where he stands next to a young man about his own age.
The lift arrives, the door opens and they both step in. It seems the young man was also going down so Liam presses the ‘Down’ button and the lift started to descend. But no sooner the lift started to move than it came to a sudden halt - stuck between two floors.

Liam:
Oh. It’s stopped. I guess it’s stuck.

Oliver:
What do we do now?

Liam:
We use the lift phone to call the store manager or someone to come and get us out.

Oliver:
Well, there isn’t a phone, great!
By the way, my name’s Oliver - what’s yours?

Liam:
It’s Liam.

Oliver:
Well, Liam, I’m gonna be in bother. I’m supposed to be meeting my girlfriend tonight and she’s gonna be hopping mad if I miss our date again. She’ll be thinking that I’ve gone out with the lads to a football match again.

Liam:
I’m sure she will believe you when you tell her that you were stuck in the lift with another bloke.

Oliver:
I’m not so sure. I can hardly believe it myself. It just hasn’t been my day-to-day. Everything that could go wrong has gone wrong. My car wouldn’t start this morning, my girlfriend already thinks I’ve been telling her lies. She thinks that because I didn’t turn up for a recent date that I was seeing another girl. But I wasn’t!

Liam:
Well, lies never do get you anywhere – except into trouble. It’s the truth that matters.
I had to learn that lesson myself – the hard way. I was always telling lies. One after another - but I got found out. And then I discovered Jesus, who is the truth - the real truth. And only truth will keep you out of trouble. God revealed that to me about a year ago. I went to a Church meeting and God really spoke to me there, and I became a Christian. I stopped telling lies and I won the heart of a wonderful girl. I’ve been going steady with her now for about a year. I came here to this store today to buy her a gift.

Oliver:
What did you get her?

Liam:
Well, nothing, in the end. I just could not find that special thing to get her.
She’s a really special girl.

Oliver:
My girlfriend is quite special too. She sings in my band and she’s good.

Liam:
A band? When’s your next gig? My girlfriend and I will come along.

Oliver:
It’s tomorrow night - if we ever get out of here!

Liam:
Don’t worry, it won’t be long before someone comes to get us out. And besides, the cable is not going to break. God will look after us.

Oliver:
You really do believe in God then - that he will send someone along?

Liam:
Sure I do. He’s kept me safe before – many times. One time I was out on a boat with my Dad when we hit a rock and capsized. We were a bit shaken but we were air-lifted by a helicopter. Then there was the time that I was on a motorbike and a car smashed into me. I came off. I should have died but all I received, in the end, was a broken leg, ribs, and a few bruises.

Oliver:
I remember a time when I was 8 years old. I contracted pneumonia and it was ‘touch and go’ as to whether I would pull through.

Liam:
There you are then. God took care of you. I tell you Oliver - God knows all about you. He’s everywhere and he’s here with us right now.

Oliver:
I’ve often wondered if there was a God in heaven watching over me. I seem to have escaped from so many sticky situations over the years.

Liam:
Well Oliver I have told you about the Lord. But you need to invite Him into your life. That bit I can’t do for you.

Oliver:
Hey. It looks as if we are moving again. It was good to meet you, Liam.
How long do you think we have been here?

Liam:
Not long. But long enough I hope, to get you thinking about God.
I hope you didn’t mind?

Oliver:
No. Actually, I’ve enjoyed our conversation.

Liam:
Just remember - God takes care of us.

Oliver:
I’ll remember. See you at the gig tomorrow?

Liam:
I’m looking forward to it.

The doors open and they go their separate ways.

Liam did go to the gig with his girlfriend and met up with Oliver and his band. Before long Oliver and his girlfriend were going along to Liam’s church. And Oliver heard God speaking to him during a meeting, repented of his sin, and put his faith in Jesus. And he learned how to trust God.
And God takes care of him.