JOHN THE BAPTIST

Our backyard was my gathering spot for outdoor revivals. I would imagine crowds of people seeking to change their lives. As they intently listened to the message before them, the conviction in their hearts was stronger than flames burning from a campfire. When the altar call was given many would walk to the front and pray their confession of Faith in the Lord! What a beautiful day it was!

As great and marvelous as this sounds it was only a figment of my imagination, a dream not yet realized. Yet I still saw the vision of many turning their hearts and lives over to the Lord. Yes, what a beautiful day that will be. After my proclamation of Faith I was eager to share the good news with everyone and anyone in my life.I was zealous with a passion to share the gospel with the lost.

When I was seven years old, my mother, on her journey to find God, introduced me to the Lord. I remember the day she stood in our dining room with my brother, sister and her cousin. She quoted from the book of John the infamous verse “For God so LOVED the world …” Those words were all I needed to hear … “LOVED”! God LOVES me!!! What a thought at such a tender age. Those words resonated deep within my heart and soul and I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to the Lord. When I prayed and received the Lord into my life, there was no fanfare or fireworks, but the Angels were rejoicing in heaven. This moment would change my life forever!

Going to school after this experience was also filled with some unique challenges. You see, being seven and bringing my bible to school was ok, but telling my classmates I found Jesus, that was a whole other story. Seriously, how do you relate to your peers at this age about a man you can’t see? How do you translate this experience for them to understand? Trust me, it was not easy and yes there were moments of ridicule and disgust, being shunned and treated as an outcast. For me, it didn’t matter! I knew who I was, what I believed and just wanted to tell the world… just like John the Baptist … preparing the way.