When I was twelve I gave my life to Jesus.
It was the most important decision of my life.
Raised in a Christian home, I went to church and Sunday School every Lord's Day. From earliest days, I learned the stories of Jesus, and sang the songs of God's people.
As a seven- or eight-year old, I came forward to pray at the end of a revival service. A lady evangelist, Sheila Graham (later Sheila Graham McCrea-MacCallum) held meetings at our church, and my brother and I responded by coming forward.
But I don't remember this. I know it because my mother treasured that event and told me of it often.
In fourth grade I hung out with neighborhood boys. We looked curiously at girlie magazines and smoked cigarettes behind nearby warehouses. I remember cheating in an elementary school craft contest.
In 1966 we moved to Shelburne, Nova Scotia, and I began seventh grade. A voracious reader, I began to recognize the reality of evil in the world, and became aware of personal evil and dark spirits for the first time. My increased awareness of the spiritual world led me to ponder the existence of God and the reality of heaven and hell.
Most of all, I became aware of my own sinfulness. I knew that heaven was not my home. If I were to die in an accident of some kind, I was not ready nor fit for heaven.
In an old Reader's Digest I read a convincing article about poltergeist activity in a California home. The article brought home to me the reality of spiritual things, and, more than ever, my need for God.
One October night, lying in my bed, I asked God to forgive my sins and come into my life. There was no great emotional high, no wide-eyed elation. But something within me had changed, and I knew it.
I began to find purpose for living and joy in pursuing God. I began to understand His love and mercy as I got to know some of His people. I began a new chapter in my life's journey.
I grew in my faith through teenage struggles, and attended a Christian college. I married a beautiful, godly young woman and have now invested 33 years of my life with her, raising two lovely daughters who are our pride and joy. I've struggled and grown in my twenties, thirties, forties and fifties.
But almost everything I am today flows from the decision I made 44 years ago.
Looking back over my life, I may have some regrets. But I've never regretted my decision to follow Jesus, and I never will.
What's your story? I'd like to hear it. :)
I have realized that it is not any one external belief system that is important, but what comes from inside and what is manifest back out from that-- one's behavior.
ReplyDeleteSo whether one claims that they believe in Jesus Christ, Buddhism or Muhammad, it is ultimately what comes from within that counts.
The irritating thing about some religions is the force, obstinacy, self-contradiction and/or ignorance by which their ostensible members promote their religion: This promotion seems to fly in the face of the fundamental responsibility that rests with the individual-- NOT the religion-- because, alas, we all know that those who wrap themselves in religion don't suddenly have any monopoly on goodness. People will do what they do. Religious institutions can simply provide some with better camouflage for their dubious deeds. If anything, that camouflage in some ways seems to make religion more dangerous, susceptible and deceptive.