Song of the Preacher Man
Tim Hillhouse II

There he stood, anointed with the authority of God. The preacher poured out his heart to the congregation in an attempt to reach a lost soul. He talked of Jesus and of his sacrifice. He preached with conviction of the redeeming power of the blood. People flocked to the altars at the finish of his sermon. Tears streamed down their faces and people were speaking in tongues. The Holy Ghost fell on several newcomers as the saints praised. God was awesome and moved in an equally awesome way. This was not uncommon at this particular church. The music added to the excitement as the musicians hammered away. Nathan was a faithful believer and observed the growth in the church since this man of God began to minister there. As the altar call finished and the musicians packed away their instruments, the preacher approached Nathan with his arms open. In an embrace, Nathan was told that the preacher appreciated him.

As Nathan drove home that evening, he could hear music playing in the background. Through his ears or heart, he could not make certain. The music was soothing and spoke sweet-nothings to his soul. There always seemed to be this music that would ring through his heart after hearing the preacher speak the mind of God.

Years went by as the church began to grow. The music never ceased its melody in Nathan’s soul. Now, he had gotten old and his hair had turned gray. The wrinkles on his face never showed the youth in his heart concerning the preaching and the beautiful music.

One afternoon, news rang him on the phone concerning the preacher. Apparently, his beloved wife had been having an affair with another person. Obviously distraught, the preacher missed the service that evening. Instead, a local evangelist preached to the church.

The following service, the preacher was behind the pulpit again. However, his sermon was not as it usually was. He preached of God’s judgement and of hellfire and brimstone. He preached of the punishment for sin. He called for an altar call. People came to the altars, not out of a desire for God, but out of fear. Nathan observed this change in the man of God as the preacher avoided shaking hands and headed outside.

Nathan followed the preacher outside, however he was too late as the preacher’s car pulled out of the parking lot. Nathan got in his car and began to drive home. Something troubled him though: the silence. The music he had become used to was absent. He felt as though a piece of him was missing.

Nathan turned the car around and started towards the preacher’s home. The preacher was still in his parked car. His head was resting against the steering wheel. The look of ultimate despair was on his face.

Nathan opened the driver-side door to his friend’s automobile and motioned for him to step out. The preacher rose from his seated position and looked as though he had not the strength to keep standing. Nathan opened his arms and embraced the man of God. He then ministered to the minister concerning the love of Jesus. He spoke of the comforting power of Jesus. They then prayed with each other as the tears flowed freely.

The following service, the preacher spoke again of the wonderful blood of Jesus. He preached of His forgiveness for sins. He spoke of how we must forgive in order to be forgiven by God. Conviction fell on the congregation as the Spirit of God moved on each church member and visitor. An altar call was never made, yet the altar was packed. The power of God fell on the elders of the church as they prayed for the sick and the sick were healed. Never before had such an awesome service occurred at that church. However, this was only the beginning of a revival that bled over to other churches.

Nathan died that night of a heart attack. Everyone knew that he would be in a better place. Nathan died in peace, for as his life disappeared, he heard the comforting music playing its tune. As the music became more pronounced, he watched as two giant pearly gates opened before him and he heard the words, "Enter, thou good and faithful servant."