Believe

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, and even though he dies, and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?

No one really knows when Christ will call us to Him. When we will enter the shadow of His grace and receive His salvation. Some of us accept His gift at a young age, being raised in a Christian home, or maybe some will hear a deep meaning sermon, or a friend says the right thing at the right time. Others go through tragedy, some however are convicted in a deep, meaningful, and startling way.

I am reminded of a story I heard sometime ago. There was a young man attending a prominent college back east, this young man had all he could have wanted and more growing up and obviously it followed him into college. He was very talented and even was being looked at for the sport of Diving for the next Olympic that were coming around soon enough. With all of this, this young gifted soul was an atheist, had no belief in Christ, God, anything Christian, his train of thought was, "when you're dead, you're dead." The loan saving grace so far was his roommate. Another gifted young man, however this was a deeply grounded believer in Christ, the son of a minister, attending college mostly by scholarship. This roommate (friend) never pushed the truth on his non believing friend, but chose small times on when to interject Christ into a conversation, the atheistic young man never arguing, but just listening and moving on.

On one occasion on a late, but clear fall evening, the non believing young'n entered the schools indoor pool for some practice. The lights were already out and except for the light coming in at the top by skylights nothing else could be seen. He walked around the pool finding his way to the ladder for the tallest diving platform, his train of thought was on his diving, being a perfectionist he enjoyed diving in the dark, thinking it honed his skills. Once at the top of the platform, he turned his back to the pool, as countless times before. Balanced himself on the balls of his feet, just like before and stretched out his arms to the sides, just like clock work. Only this time the moonlight shining through the upper windows behind him casting his shadow on the wall in front of his face, making the shape of a cross. For some reason, at this time, the young man couldn't continue, feeling an overwhelming feeling of guilt, remorse, love, grace, fell forward onto his knees, and accepted Christ as his savior, accepted the only true and unfailing gift of salvation that can only come from our Lord, Jesus Christ.

After several minutes of long overdue prayer, and deep thought, the young man got up and assumed his position at the end of the platform, just at this time the night janitor entered the building on his normal rounds and turned on the lights, yelling up to the boy " hey, what do you think you're doing?" The newest member of Christs family turn to see that all the water had been drained from the pool for maintenance.

Powerful. You see the boy thought he knew where he was going, what he was doing. However that was not the case, everyone has been there. I don't believe for a second that someone hasn't, but look how Christ led that young man, someone who doubted all the time, who was sure he had all the answers or his life in control, but as most of us life can lose control just at the edge of your feet.

Have you accepted Christ as your savior? Do you have questions? Are you fulfilled in your faith of wherever you are? If you haven't accepted or know someone who is on the verge, I invite you to do so, or to allow a conversation to happen. We can't save each other, we hold no gift of salvation for anyone. We are examples to one another, we can speak the truth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and only He and He alone can save us/anyone. Only Christ alone can give the gift of salvation through His saving grace of His sacrifice. How blessed is His name, how wonderful is His word, is His love, is His grace. Ask your questions, seek the knowledge, find the answers you are looking for and experience His saving grace. There are no stupid questions, only unasked ones, don't be afraid, He can take it all, He looks forward to your questions, the more we ask, the more we learn. Please feel free to ask or forward this, don't hesitate, for only the wonders of Christ lay ahead, embrace it.

Heavenly Father, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Your glory reigns forever and ever, You never fail, You never tire, or give up. You can take all the questions, concerns, frustrations, You can handle anything and everything, without effort. We praise Your Holy name, and give our lives to You, Father I lift up those who maybe searching today with questions of You and Your love, not sure of where to go or what to believe, Lord I pray that You allow those individuals to find a true follower of Christ to lean on, that You reveal Yourself to them in away that not only gets their attention, but fills them with Your love and joy. Once again I put myself out there to be used for Your Holy grace and sovereign plan. May all things sings Your glory. I give You these things, these words, this time, and my life as well as my family to You, for everything is a gift from You and not truly ours. I pray in the name of Your Holy Son, our Lord and Savior, our Redeemer, Jesus Christ,
amen