My story of becoming a ‘Christ follower’ & my first steps in that ‘new life’ …
I was apprehended by Jesus at the age of 15.
Life before that was pretty good – stable home, wonderful parents, pestilent brother (!), decent school, fine mates, brilliant era (1960’s). A typical teenager (minus drugs & booze) – chased girls, loved soccer, enjoyed the Rolling Stones music, played truant, told naughty jokes – with a few non-typical quirks: e.g. reading the Morning Star (UK’s Communist newspaper), running a protection racket for weak kids, attending church (hate to admit this, but assure you it WAS under protest), and occasionally losing sleep wondering what life was all about !!
NO DOUBT about it – I was PRAYED for – oh yes, grandparents, parents, uncles & aunts, pastors & church members – had me on top of their hit-lists. Regretfully, I could do little about people like Mrs H – an elderly intercessor, who just wouldn’t let go. Now, much to my shame, I must confess that knowing of her regular sorties into God’s throne-room on my behalf, made me feel quite angry, even hateful, towards her !!
BUT … I was apprehended, and capitulated, one February evening, after sensing God’s Presence, knowing I wasn’t part of His Family, breaking down in tears, and ended up making a commitment which has held over 44 years. I’ll never forget when understanding of a particular Bible verse first hit home. It says: “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to FORGIVE our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” – and it was like turning a light on in a darkened room. My youthful ‘sins’ suddenly seemed so enormous, yet God’s offer of forgiveness was so much bigger … and as I poured my young heart out, with sobbing, there came such a relief, a sense of peace which I just cannot describe in words, along with an amazing sense of ‘belonging’.
I didn’t know much theology – BUT I knew then and there that my sins were forgiven, because God was true to His Word. Later I was to understand that such forgiveness was possible because Jesus had died as my Substitute, taking my place under God’s wrath, so that mercy could reach and pardon me. (Heavy duty stuff – but so accessible)
Amazingly, as I travelled home that night back in February 1967 it was as though my feet didn’t touch the ground. In addition to the sense of peace, already described, there was a feeling of utter joy, of lightness of spirit…the world suddenly seemed a different place, and I knew that I’d now been accepted into the family of God.
New birth brings new life, and I’m so grateful I was shown, very early on, what were the essentials for that new life to grow … interaction with God (known also as ‘prayer’), feeding heart and mind on Scripture (the Bible), regular fellowship with other believers, and sharing my faith with non-believers (also known as ‘witnessing’). I soon discovered that applying myself to these four things did in fact bring a lot of personal growth, enjoyment and fulfilment:
- I found that God really does answer prayer … occasionally in remarkable ways – physical healing when I’ve been ill, provision of material needs, and ordering my affairs with a precision that often left me astonished.
- I found that reading and studying the Bible, and meditating in its pages, fed both mind & spirit in a manner that no other literature could – and I love reading!
- I found that sharing in church with real ‘believers’ through expressions of worship, prayer, communion, and teaching were incredibly challenging, stimulating and uplifting (although I’ve never attended a perfect church, or met a perfect ‘Christian’ yet)
- I found that sharing my personal faith with non-believers was like exercising my physical muscles – it helped shape & strengthen that faith. And what a remarkable privilege to lead another person into a personal relationship with God, which happened more than once.
SO, that’s how it all got started – a journey of more than 40 years … and today, as I reflect, I’m so grateful to God for His kindness, patience & love which have kept me through all that time, in my faltering attempts to follow. Thank you, Lord Jesus !
A lovely story well-told, my friend.
Great to read your testimony Alec. Took me back a few years and I was blessed by remembering your Godly parents. They were a blessing to me.
By the way, next 23rd March I will have been a Christian for 60 YEARS!! Can honestly say that God is ALWAYS FAITHFUL. A colleague told me I wouldn’t last 3 months. Glad he was wrong.
Blessings Barbara
Hi Alec – lovely to read your testimony. Took me back a few years and I praise God for the memory of your Godly parents. They were a blessing to me.
By the way – next March I will have been a Christian for 60 years and can truthfully say that God is EVER FAITHFUL. Many blessings as you continue in His way. Barbara
There is nothing like testimony to cheer and encourage others on the pilgrim way.
Bless you for sharing your story.
Just beautiful, inspiring and spoken from a heart that has found the blessed, been altered by immersion, and lives as a blessing to other,
Linda Willows
What a beautiful testimony Alec!!!
MERCI ,pour le partage Alec ~
These testimonies are important to share in these days especially. We need to reminded and the world needs to hear that becoming a Christian is much more than a mental acceptance of Christian teaching. It is, as Jesus said, a transforming birth into a new life that happens and is witnessed to in our spirits.
A fantastic testimonial Alec. The Lord’s work is like lace, what an amazing God we have.
Wow, Alec I have to forward this onto Jess. She will love to read this!
Amazing Alec, 44 years…. that is serious commitment. :o)
Like Paul on the Damascus road, like you and so many more, my life too was transformed instantly when I met with our Father-God.
Thanks for sharing!!
God is so good!!
Interesting journey . I agree with you.
God does answer our prayers and is the only provider. That’s for sure. If we have faith in God, everything is possible.
very interesting 🙂 🙂