My Story

"There's just something different about you guys," Linda wrinkled her face into a puzzled look as she spoke. "What are you so excited about? I just don't understand."

Bob grinned at her. "You see, Linda, we're excited because we've found the answer to all our problems. We've found Jesus."

But that only deepened Linda's troubled expression. "Jesus! I've heard about Jesus since I was a tiny baby. I've gone to church all my life. I just don't understand how you guys get so excited about Jesus!"

18-year-old Linda had recently moved to town and the youth at her church had invited her to attend "Power Hour." They met in a renovated shack, a group of happy teens sitting cross-legged on the carpet. As she observed these Christian young people, she sensed that she was out of place. These kids were different. There was a sense of enthusiasm and vibrancy which was unfamiliar to her.

She watched with amazement as they sang. This was no dutiful obligation they were performing, like in her youth group back home. These kids really sang their hearts out, and they were loving it.

And then came the sharing time. This was awesome. Each one produced a well-marked, obviously well-read Bible and began turning to favorite passages.

"Listen to this!" Jerry exclaimed with his face beaming. There was a definite tone of awe in his voice as he read his favorite promise. "This text was written just for me," he said. He proceeded to share an experience from the week before. "The Lord really spoke to my heart through this text. It was exactly what I needed to hear!" Linda could tell that Jerry was totally sincere as he spoke.

Then Adie shared about a difficult situation she had recently faced. "I needed a special promise for peace, and the Lord gave me this one." She read Isaiah 26:3. "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he trusts in You.' Isn't that beautiful!" she said, her face shining.

Jodie bounded up with an explosive joy. "Praise the Lord," she enthused. "God is so good! He revealed Himself to me in such a powerful way this week!" She shared a thrilling experience of answered prayer. And on and on it went. These kids had discovered a source of joy and peace that bubbled out of them and tumbled around Linda as she soaked it all in. Where did these kids get this all this enthusiasm?

She came back the next week, and the next. Something was drawing her. Were these kids for real? Maybe it would rub off on her. But then on the other hand, she didn't know if she really wanted to be that different. There were some things out there in the world that she was just discovering, and she knew that they weren't compatible with what was happening at "Power Hour."

Linda had another crowd of friends, and she joined in with their wild pursuits. However, it was with some reservation. She felt torn. Maybe the "Power Hour" group had something she needed. Maybe Jesus could solve her problems.

Yes, Linda did have some problems. What teen doesn't? There were times when she felt all alone, insecure, frightened. But she had learned to chase away those feelings by being "wild and crazy" and having "fun" with her worldly friends. The feelings of rebellion and defiance made her feel heady and strong. But then the guilt and remorse would come, and she would think of the things she'd heard at "Power Hour." What was this religious stuff all about, anyway?

For a while, Linda drifted away from her Christian friends. Life went on. Still in her search of happiness, she got married. Surely this would bring her the joy that had eluded her. And it did, for a while.

But after a while, the romance wore off. Things were rather miserable at home. Then, as a result of some bad decisions, Linda found herself at her lowest point. Life suddenly wasn't very much fun. In her despair, she didn't know where she could turn. Then she thought of Power Hour. Was it still happening? She decided to check it out.

Sure enough, they were still there, still as enthusiastic as ever. These people were definitely excited about Jesus.

Linda watched and listened intently. She was feeling a deep longing inside." I really do want what these kids have," she decided.

Later, that night at home alone, Linda opened her Bible. She turned to a verse one of the girls had shared that evening. It was a familiar text; she'd even memorized it as a young girl.

Jeremiah 31:3. She remembered how her friend had inserted her own name as she read it, so she thought she'd try it. She read, " I have loved you, Linda, with an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."

She shut her eyes and imagined she could see Jesus standing there, arms outstretched, speaking those words to her personally. "Linda, I am drawing you," He was saying, "I love you, Linda, I love you!" Linda felt that Jesus was pouring out His abundant love on her. She squeezed her eyes tighter as tears began to flow out. "Jesus loves me," Linda sobbed, "He really does! I've heard it all my life, but now I believe it in my heart. It really is true." And Linda put her head down on the couch and wept. Her hard heart of stone melted like wax as she confessed her sins. She could see Jesus dying on the cross for her sins. And just then, as she invited Him in to take control of her life, Jesus became her personal Savior and her very dearest friend.

The next morning Linda woke with an exciting new feeling. She grabbed her Bible and turned to some of the verses she'd marked as her friends had shared at Power Hour. As she read, her eyes opened wide, and a soft, Wow! escaped her lips. "Thank you, Jesus!" came next, and more tears. And then "Praise the Lord!" She was discovering precious treasures in the Word of God. And her time of fellowship with Jesus was sweet.

Linda could hardly wait to attend Power Hour next week. From the glow on her face, her friends knew what had happened before she even opened her mouth. When she shared her experience, her friends exclaimed, "Praise the Lord. We've been praying for you." They were so happy for her! What a special time of rejoicing they had, and the angels rejoiced with them. Then as her friends shared how the Lord had been speaking to them out of the scripture that week, Linda smiled to herself, "Now I really do understand!"

This is my story of what happened over 35 years ago. Life has had its ups and downs, but one thing has always been constant. Jesus has always been there for me. He has remained a faithful and true Best Friend, giving me peace and hope and assurance. And His Word has become even more precious to me over the years, because it is full of promises that He has fulfilled throughout my life. I have tested Him, and He is worthy of my trust. And I praise Him from the bottom of my heart for all that He has done for me.

Here is my current testimony expressing my heart-felt appreciation for Jesus:

The Lord Jesus Christ is my life! He rescued me as I was hurtling down a dark path. He has freed me from the slavery of sin, and He is my most precious friend and constant companion. He is in my thoughts as I go to sleep, and He draws me into sweet communion the first thing when I wake up. All during the day, He is there to give me the strength I do not possess, the wisdom I lack and the guidance I desperately need. He gives me courage to stand for the right no matter the cost.

I love Him! I admire His meekness and His gentleness--His utter selflessness. His love overwhelms me. When He was on the cross, He bore my sins. The pain that ripped through His heart, He suffered for me! I don't deserve such love. I am eternally indebted to Him. I have nothing to offer Him. How can I not give Him my life, my deepest affections?

In the good times, He pours His rich blessings upon me, and fills me with joy and gratitude. In the bad times, He is by my side, to bring comfort and hope. In fact, the more difficult the trial, the more precious is His presence. As I cling to Him, He pours His grace upon me. He has always been faithful, and I trust Him completely.

At night I can lay my head on my pillow without one pang of guilt, not because I've been sinless, but because I have laid all my sins at the foot of the cross, to be covered by His precious blood. He has forgiven me freely.

I believe in His promises for my future, and I know He is good for His Word. He will keep His covenant with me. No matter how bad this world gets, He has promised to preserve me for His heavenly kingdom.

What an amazing Savior! What a precious Savior! I know where He is, and what He is doing. I can see Him with the eye of faith. I can reach out and touch Him with the hand of faith. I want to cling to Him, because I need Him desperately. Without Him, I would sink into darkness and hopelessness. I would destroy myself.

I know my wicked potential, my disgusting depravity. I'm scared of myself. I need Jesus! I must have Him! I can't live without Him. He is everything to me. I am safe in His arms, and I want to stay there for eternity. I have no other desire but to be with Jesus, to be like Jesus, to serve my Jesus.

I cannot praise Him enough. I cannot give Him a higher recommendation. He's so far beyond my feeble attempts to describe Him. All I can say is, if you don't have Jesus, you're missing out! Take Him--His arms are open wide to receive you just now!