I was 39 years old. I had finished building a new house, living in there with my wife and three little kids. I had lots of work and was doing well, but was totally unhappy and dissatisfied with life. I had quit drinking six years earlier, cold turkey, no more drinking because it was my addiction. That had not solved anything though; I was still angry, fearful, dissatisfied, and wondering what life was all about. And on that very day, March 10, 1970, in the morning, I was at work in Burnaby. I remember I was sitting down on a coffee break, and while having a cigarette and coffee, God was starting to stir me up! It was a little voice that was gentle, just over on one side of my shoulder, and it said “Give everything up and follow me” like your fears and anxieties, but, over on the other shoulder a little voice said “Don’t do that… your whole family, friends, in-laws, parents, would say you are going crazy now.” And then again on the right hand side, the voice said, “No, just follow me and I will give you rest and peace about all this.” Then I sort of thought, ok, but How? Who? I had been around in different religions, listening, trying to be good, and I hated it!!! I felt angry about it all and dissatisfied. I thought that Jesus Christ was a good swear word and a good hippie, who had done a few “tricks” like walking on water, etc. 2000 years ago. But I could not believe that He was God!
So later that day after watching the news at supper time, who comes on TV but Billy Graham! Back then, #1, we had heard at a young age that we weren’t allowed to watch him! Anyway, he made a claim that did not make sense. He said that Jesus Christ is fully God, fully man, who came to earth to redeem us and show us the way! Then Billy went on and invited us to kneel down in front of the television, saying, “If He is knocking at the door of your heart, open the door and let Him in!” At that stage I thought, I have done a lot of foolish things in my life; I might as well try this!
You know what? Answering His knock at the door of my heart and letting Him in was the key to everything! There was no big bang or anything, but a Great Peace started to invade me! This might be hard to believe, but I began to see things differently! I think I was looking through a different lens, towards my wife, my kids, my work, eternity, and it was Forward-Looking!! Now I gotta say this, there has been a lot of living since then. And it has been good. I have a friend in Jesus, which the Bible says in Hebrews 1:3 – “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.” He is the perfect God as our Father. Well, He changed my life completely, to this day.
The Bible says when you do that, you become a new creation in Him! My personal relationship with Jesus from that day on, is what sustains me, keeps me and has blessed me not just talking about material things, but with my life, family, friends, it is never ending. It is eternal! I am 86 now. Many times we fail, and I did not become a monk! No need for that! Because when Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood for us, it washes away our sins, past, present and future! And Jesus has never left me, and faithful during every step of my life. I see where He was faithful to me even BEFORE that experience that day… and that is because God is love, we are created in His image, and He loves us REGARDLESS! We are chosen before creation!! But then, I guess like it says in John 10:10, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” – the Abundance part is for here now on this planet! And today is my 47th Anniversary! I cannot forget it!
It sounds like He is always knocking at the door of our hearts. Let Him in, talk with Him, enjoy Him! He will tell you how things are done… He has got lots of good promises and a lot of insights and wisdom. He loves you very, very much!!!
P.S. Please feel free to share!
We appreciate you folks sharing this today, because we never know who is sick, sad, dying, neglected, or abandoned, or just needs a word of encouragement. I recommend as you share this word around the globe, on Facebook or wherever, that it may be a miracle for a hurting, suffering person somewhere, to be touched by the love of God, miracles…. will happen.
Thanks for sharing it!
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