Both my parents were followers of Jesus. They taught me about Jesus when I was a child. Since my dad was in the military and we moved frequently, we attended many different churches so I did not have a consistent church upbringing. I knew to be a follower of Jesus a person needed to repent of their sins and ask Jesus to be their savior. I did that when I was a teenager. However, that’s as far as it went. I did not grow in my understanding of Jesus or the Bible. I knew the major events in the Bible such as Adam and Eve, Noah and the flood, Moses parting the Red Sea, Jesus being born and the crucifixion and resurrection. Later I went to college and attended a church. I had a bad experience at that church and walked away from the Church and came to the conclusion: the Church was full of hypocrites.
Throughout my 20s and 30s, I lived the secular lifestyle. Occasionally I was drawn to a church for a few weeks and then I would be on my merry way continuing to live the secular lifestyle. During this time; I had an emptiness inside. It felt like I had a large void in my heart. I thought there has got to be more to life than to live without any purpose and then die at 80 or 90 years of age if you lived that long.
I tried many different careers after graduating from college and finally found my niche as a social worker with child protective services. It was hard job, but I felt a sense of accomplishment of ensuring children were safe. It was a very different work environment than I had worked in before. Coworkers were giving of themselves and helped each other. Working with caring people, the thought I often had was, how could God send “good” people to hell.
After a few years in my career, I started having this deep desire to go back to church. I believe people were praying for me because I don’t think the desire came from me. One Sunday morning I found myself in church and I rededicated myself to Jesus Christ and made the decision to really get to know what being a follower of Jesus was all about. And thus, my journey began.
I started going to church weekly, got involved in a Sunday School class and then a weekday Bible study. About a year later four people I knew died within a six-month period, and the only one I believed was in heaven was my mother. I still struggled with how can God send “good” people to hell. I wrestled with that for months, then when I was praying one evening God answered my prayer. My eyes were closed and all of a sudden, I saw lightning, I heard thunder and the most authoritative, yet loving voice said, “Because not everyone will choose me.” I never questioned it again. Later as I studied the Bible more, I came to learn that none of us are “good”, “all have sin and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23 NIV). And the wages of sin is death, (Romans 6:23 NIV).
As I came to know Jesus the void and emptiness in my heart was replaced with peace, joy and love. I studied the Bible and learned that no one’s life ends at death. God has an amazing eternal plan for me and for all who believe in Him and make Jesus Lord of their life. We cannot even conceive what He has for us, (I Corinthians 2:9 NKJV). God has a new heaven and earth for us and He also has and eternal plan for those who do not follow Him, (Rev 21:1-8 NKJV).
If you say, “I don’t believe in God, I believe in evolution,” or something else. Consider that a hundred percent of Bible prophecy has come true so far.
God says if you honestly seek me, you will find me, (Deuteronomy 4:29 NKJV). If you don’t know Jesus, I give you a challenge. Seek him with all your heart. You can find him in the Bible. Also, some books I recommend are:
- “Evidence that Demands a Verdict,” by Josh McDowell
- “More than a Carpenter,” by Josh McDowell
- “The Case for Christ” by Lee Strobel.
- “In the Beginning,” by Walt Brown PhD. (For science enthusiasts)
When you find Jesus, you’ll experience the greatest love you will ever know. If you only knew the immense love Jesus has for you, you would follow Him. Life is so much better with Jesus than without him, (John 10:9-10 NKJV).
Someday we will all be on our knees before Jesus, (Romans 14:11 ESV). Will you be looking up to him in love and reverence or be scared and fearful? We all have that choice.