Forty-three years ago this Easter, I made a decision that changed my life. If you died today, do you know for certain you would have eternal life?
2MefromHim Devotional
I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die… John 11:25
I had nowhere else to go. Alone in the dark, I pondered the teaching from a Young Life meeting, a relationship with Jesus.
The heartbreak of a 17 year-old can change a life. The decisions we make every day can make or break our life.
A picture of the crucified Christ, crown of thorns, blood flowing down—my sin, my hurt, my need. He died for me. What a staggering realization! Jesus cares for the whole world, but also for me as an individual. And I prayed for Him to take the hurt, to hold me close, to set me free.
Are you there, Jesus? Are you for real? Can you help me? Please, just let me know you’re there!
Eyes closed in a dark room, but in my heart, in my spirit, I knew He was there. Should I open my eyes? Would He be standing there?
I felt the warmth and light of new hope and love. To the depths of my being, I knew He was there. Jesus.
The burden lifted. The pain lessened. The excitement grew.
On that Easter night, 43 years ago, I met Jesus for the first time. I had heard stories of Him my entire life, but never had I met Him with this knowing that He loved me. He forgave me. He saved me. He wanted me for His own. And I said YES.
Yes, Lord Jesus, take me for your own. Teach me who you are.
Many people didn’t understand. But I knew. Jesus set me free! My life was His—my heart, my hurt—all that I was belonged to Him.
In a few days’ time I read the New Testament. What had once been stories, words I couldn’t understand, were now alive and speaking to me. I knew what He meant. I knew what He wanted.
The pain that drove me to Him was gone. I felt forgiveness and peace.
Whatever you’re suffering, the sin, the pain, the anger, the hurt, the hunger and longing of your soul—Jesus is ready to take it. He wants to lift your burden and carry it for you. He longs to hear you call Him Lord. He wants to take away the chains that hold you, hopeless and unforgiven.
And in their place, He will give new life, eternal life—and you will be whole!
© Copyright Norma Gail Thurston Holtman, March 26, 2015
About the author:
Norma Gail’s contemporary Christian romance, Land of My Dreams, released in 2014. She is a Bible study leader, and writes devotionals for ChristianDevotions.us, StitchesthruTime blog, and “The Secret Place.” She belongs to American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, and the New Mexico Christian Novelists. She is married and has two adult children.
Connect with Norma:
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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7874459.Norma_Gail
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Book Links:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Land-My-Dreams-Norma-Gail/dp/1941103170/ or
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/land-of-my-dreams-norma-gail/1119606864 ?ean=9781941103173
Lighthouse Publishing of the Carolinas Bookstore: http://store.lpcbooks.com/product/land-of-my-dreams/
6 Comments
Amen my sister! Thank you for sharing your resurrection story. I love learning how others came to find God and ask Christ into their hearts. Love you 🙂
Thanks for commenting, Marcie! You are such an encourager!
Norma, I met the Lord 43 years ago as a 17 year old also! AND I attended Young Life. How about that? They were instrumental in leading me to the Lord. Thank you for sharing your story.
We truly are meant to be friends, Nan! That’s amazing!
Beautiful story. I am glad that you let go and let God. It is hard to do sometimes as when there are at times nothing to lean on except faith. Thank God He left his testimony for us all.
Thank you, I’m glad I let go too!