From a young age, I heard about Jesus and His love. Sang songs about Him. Listened as my parents read Bible stories. Our family prayed often. I was loved and cared for.
And yet.
And yet I was lost. Fearful. Felt the darkness. Something wasn’t right. And I knew it. “Do not lie” seemed to compel me toward that very thing. Lying.
My story
One particular moment stands out. Impressed on my memory. Clear and detailed.
I see my mom. We’re in their bedroom and I ask her how to have Jesus inside me. In my heart. We sit down on the bed.
In a few words, she explains the gospel to me. Simply. Her diary records the prayer I prayed that day:
“I’m sorry for the naughty things I’ve done. Please, Jesus, come into my heart. Amen.” With childlike faith. A straightforward, uncomplicated plea.
It forever changed my life.
One decision
My husband Todd was a freshman in college when he noticed something different about his roommate. He had a peace Todd didn’t have. One night Dave asked, “Do you mind if I read my Bible?” No.
To his surprise, Dave started reading his Bible out loud. They began an ongoing discussion about God and faith.
Later that semester, Todd knelt beside his dorm room bed and confessed his sin. He asked Jesus to be Lord of his life. This one decision to turn and follow Christ radically changed him.
For ever.
No matter what
No matter how old we are when we come to Jesus Christ. No matter what cultural or religious background we come from. No matter which words we pray in repentance of sin and belief of the gospel.
No matter what. The story begins long before we search or seek or embark on a quest for truth.
Each story begins with Almighty God.
Transformation
Astounding, isn’t it? The Creator of the universe. Reaching out to you. To me. Sending His Son that we might have eternal life.
We. The ones from every nation. Tribe. People. Language.
And the story doesn’t end with a simple step of faith. Transformation launches. Change begins. Abiding in Christ is ongoing.
Yes, it’s a process. A relationship that grows as we spend time with Him daily in the Word and in prayer. Learning to deny ourselves, take up our cross daily and follow Him.
Outwardly we may be wasting away, but inwardly He is renewing us day by day by day.
Your story
I don’t know your story.
Perhaps you’ve known Jesus Christ for many years. Most of your life.
Or maybe you’ve only heard about Him. And think, “He would never choose someone like me.” You feel certain “I could never be His follower.” Perhaps because of your religious background. Or your family’s traditional ways.
Maybe this hesitation is due to all that is wrong and sad and hard in your life.
Lost
I don’t know your story. But I know this: He came to seek and to save the lost.
And all of us are that. The lost.
From a young age we choose to go our own way. No one has to teach us how to do wrong things or think sinful thoughts. No one has to train us in fear and darkness and deception.
God knows our stories. He sees our lost condition. He sees our fears and pain and darkness. And so He sent His Son.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son,
that whoever believes in Him should not perish
but have eternal life.”
John 3:16
The gospel
Jesus lived on this earth and was tempted as we are. Yet He never sinned. He was the spotless Lamb of God who took our sin upon Himself when He died on the cross.
He was buried in a tomb. And on the third day arose from the dead. Conquering sin and death.
He appeared to His disciples for 40 days before ascending to heaven right before their eyes. Today He is alive in Heaven. Some day He is coming again.
By the way, this Savior who seeks the lost? He never forces someone to follow Him. Never. He gives us the choice.
It’s the best choice I ever made.
What about you?
What is your story? When did you take that simple step of faith to follow Him? If you’ve never made that decision, He invites you to repent of your sin and believe the gospel—to turn and follow Him for the rest of your life and throughout eternity.
Related posts
The mystery of the gospel – Enter the narrow door – Gospel conversations along the way – The other pandemic – Living hope – God speaks – Wounded – Clear the clutter – Prodigal redeemed – Take up His yoke – Brokenness – Redeemed – The way of life – Matters of the heart – Mystery revealed –
5 replies on “Lost”
I was about 16 when I made that decision to become a follower of Christ. It was the single decision that changed my life forever. Thanks be to God for His unspeakable gift.
Amen! Thanks for sharing your story, Bertie.
Such Grace! I thank Him everyday!! So good to read yours and remember my own story.
At the age of 5-6, I don’t have many memories, but the Sunday morning that I cried and asked to go forward during the invitation song is still vivid nearly 50 years later. My mother asked me questions and promised me that I could do it the next Sunday and during the week, she took me to the pastor for a chat.
The next Sunday, I remember waiting for the sermon to end so the pastor would come down to the altar. Mother asked me if I wanted her to go with me – she told me later she was surprised that I responded “No” with confidence. I walked to the front and the pastor shook my hand and patted me on the head and sat me down on the front pew. I was disappointed for a moment and as I swung my feet, I heard God’s voice for the first time. He said “You don’t need anything else. I’m here with you.”
(Mother told me later that the pastor was explaining to the church that he had met with me and he was certain of my desire to follow Jesus.)
Even when I didn’t want to obey God’s commands, or I looked for ways to compromise, I never forgot that first moment and His voice always called me back to Him. I’ve doubted myself many times, but I have never doubted His love and His goodness!
What a tender Father to give you that assurance. Thank you for sharing your story!