A Conversion Story Retold by Tom Loebmann - June 2008
It all happen in an instant, but I wasn't sure for several months.
This is Jay's* story. Jay's real names is ...... oh, what does that matter? What matters that he understands that he is a child of the King. He inherited all the rights and privileges of Jesus. He knows that his sins are forgiven, he has entrance into Heaven, and his purpose in life has been established.
Of course his life didn't start that way. Not that he used drugs, smoked pot or anything like that. Jay was a born into a Christian family who showed him their love, respect and openness. He was a dull kid. Not too much there. Got good grades, played baseball and basketball, got his picture in the yearbook. Looked handsome, but nobody noticed.
One day at about age 10, he decided that he wanted to please God. He had always pleased other people, but now he wanted to please God. Or, did he want to please his Dad? His Dad was his companion. Someone he could always turn to for advice and encouragement. His Dad had always encouraged Jay to accept the work of Jesus on the cross, and ask Jesus into his life. A funny thing—Dad was always right.
He remembered that his Dad would let him know that if he followed this current path, A,B, C, D, and E would happen. And “E” would bring trouble into his life. But, since he was a teenager, who knew much more than Dad, he would follow the path he was on. He didn't see A or B. He thought, Dad must be wrong. He didn't see C or D. Dad is wrong about this. He isn't wrong about much, he thought, but Dad is definitely wrong this time.
Then came “E”. Now, thoughts flooded his brain. I never saw it coming. But just like Dad said “E” came. Oh boy, I wish I listened to Dad. Did “A “really happen? It must have happened. I should have listened. You know he has been there -- done that. I should start out with a “you know best “ approach. I may not understand, but by faith I know; Dad knows. Wasn't there a TV program called, “Farther Knows Best”? I should have listened.
Now, pleasing God. Dad always said that pleasing God came first in life. Am I pleasing Dad or God? Dad says that God doesn't work that way. It is by His grace we are saved (made right with God). Each boy, girl, man and woman must decide for themselves that they want to please God. I don't understand how He works. I know that He loves me, and He can't wait for me to decide I want to please Him. Dad can't make that decision for me; I must decide.
I have decided! I want to follow God. That little decision took a long time., and I'm still wrestling with how that works out in my daily life.
Since I'm older, I am glad I made that decision. In the Bible, I have learned that it is by faith we establish a relationship with God through His Son Jesus. Some verses still stumble me, I don't understand, but by faith I have learned to accept them. I have married a fantastic woman, have a boy and a girl, and a great, but struggling life. Most of my time .......then you know who Jay could be, and we don't want that; do we?
* Jay isn't this person's name.