How do I get to Heaven?

I was a young preacher, visiting with the old veteran Welcome Detweiler of Durham, NC. We were sitting in a diner as the waitress came to our table. After she had taken our orders, Mr. Detweiler said, “When you have a minute, I have a question.” Good move, I thought. It will stir her curiosity as to what his question may be, and he will have freedom to talk to her, because she will, by her actions, say she has a minute to talk. When she returned, he said, “I’m an old man; I’ll be dying soon. Can you tell me how to get to heaven?” “You look like a fine gentleman,” she replied. “I’m sure you’ll be fine.” Feigning horror, he said, “What a terrible thing you’ve done!” “What?” she asked, wide-eyed. “I asked you how to go to heaven, and you told me how to go straight to hell.” I could see he had her complete attention, to say the least. Now, tenderly, he began to explain to the young woman her need of salvation through the once-crucified, now living Savior. It was just what she needed to hear.

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