I’ve been playing catch-up with my email. I mean, I receive mail on my phone thanks to the handy-dandy data plan I pay an arm and a leg for but of which I was fully appreciative of this past weekend as I used the GPS to navigate around Jacksonville. So, I’m not really missing out on important messages.
Because I’m not working today, I thought it would be a good idea to take a peek at the inbox on my computer. I’ve put off reading a few things, including reminders for bills.
Yeah, I know…I’m just delaying the inevitable, but hey, it’s fun to live in ignorance for a while.
Anyhow, I had quite a few Way of the Master newsletters to read. I prefer to read these on the computer because videos are always embedded in them…videos I do not want to miss. I sometimes share them on my blog.
Today I watched a very poignant video. It’s one that we can all identify with. First, some background, and then the good stuff.
When I moved to north Florida from, as I like to call it, “Little New York,” (i.e. south Florida), I could hardly contain my excitement. I knew that I would finally be surrounded by other active Christians. When we looked at houses, I was touched by the crosses and Bibles clearly visible.
Over the last six years since we’ve moved back, I’ve discovered that there are just as many lost people here as there were down south.
Huh?
Oh, a lot more people attend church regularly here. I mean, this is the Bible Belt. BUT, merely attending church does not mean that one is a follower of Christ (as my Wednesday night Bible study leader is fond of calling Christians). As I’ve had conversations with people, I’ve learned not to assume that they understand exactly what being “saved” entails.
Following Jesus means first recognizing yourself in need of a Savior. It’s a humbling experience as you discover your status as a sinner, condemned to Hell. But what a wonderful first step! And then to understand that someone already paid the price for your sins!
Wow!
But a warning should be inserted here. This decision should not come as the culmination of some emotional frenzy experienced at a revival or whatnot. You have to understand the decision you’re making.
Last Wednesday night, my Bible study leader shared how, at the tender age of 18, as a new arrival at college and away from a Jewish home where organized religion was not practiced, she began attending church and started examining her heart, giving serious consideration to the life change she was about to make.
Huh? As I sat there, my jaw slowly dropped open, and my eyes grew wide. That an 18 year old would be so mature as to do that kind of thinking. I was not that mature at that age.
As we studied Luke 14, we read a parable about a builder taking into account the cost to erect a tower, and a king understanding the foe he was about to do battle with and the cost to his troops.
My leader’s testimony gave me pause. What about my own “conversion.” Was it real? I’m not so sure, but I do know that in the time since then (especially in the last few years), my relationship with God has deepened, and I have, in fact, had a real conversion…one not based on emotion but one of humbleness, gratefulness, and purpose.
Take a look at this video. Does it sound like you? Do you encounter people like this? How do you handle it?
Filed under: Christian | Tagged: Christianity, salvation, way of the master | Leave a comment »
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