Over 46 years ago I asked Jesus to come into my life. And He
did! The change inside me was dramatic. Jesus opened my eyes to the path I was
following—and it didn’t lead to life with Him. He gave me a new roadmap for my
life, set me on the right path, and showed me how to walk it.
While I never rode with Hell’s Angels, robbed a bank, or dealt drugs, the change was as dramatic as the part in “The Wizard of Oz” where the movie goes from black and white to color. Casual acquaintances probably couldn’t tell it, but my life was changed at the core. My way of thinking, my perspective on what was important, the motivation behind my actions, what I believed and how I lived it out—all of that was changed by my encounter with Jesus one Sunday morning. It was an encounter that developed into a relationship that continues today.
My whole life I attended church nearly every Sunday, even when I was at college. I went through three years of Confirmation classes, memorizing boatloads of doctrine. I sang in a group that performed in various churches and helped plan church services. I was religious, but I didn’t have a one-on-one relationship with God. I didn’t personalize the belief that Jesus died on the cross to pay for the forgiveness of sins.
I skimmed the Bible here and there when I needed something for the church services I helped with, but I didn’t take it to heart. I didn’t study it as a means of getting to know God better or to gain understanding for how He wanted me to live my life.
All of that changed the last weekend of March in 1977.
That Saturday we met a pastor and his wife who KNEW Jesus. They had a living, breathing relationship with God. He permeated every part of their lives, not just Sunday morning worship. It was a simple, trusting faith in Jesus—to forgive their sins and to lead their lives day by day. It was incredible—and made me want that same kind of connection with God.
Ever loving and faithful, the next day God granted the desire of my heart. He called me into a relationship with Him during a service by a gospel group singing a style of music that was far from my favorite, but who had that same living interaction with Jesus!
Do you know Jesus like that? Is your faith in God based on relationship or religion? Is He an intricate part of every aspect of your life? Do you seek His leading in all things? Are you trying to live in a way that says, “Thank You, Lord, for all You have done for me!” and that reflects His love and influence?
ANYONE, ANYONE, can come into a close relationship with Jesus. It is as simple as just asking. Ask Him to come into your life. Ask His forgiveness. Ask Him to lead you. He is just waiting for you to ask.
Be encouraged!
