New Believer

I witnessed someone very close to me come to Christ today.  It is the most thrilling scene to watch play out. It didn’t happen overnight, actually this was at least 10 years in the making from my perspective. You hear about conversions and they sometimes seem like it just magically happens. But in this case it took 10 years of prayer and life altering circumstances to have it come to fruition. But, oh, there is a new name written in the Lamb’s book of life today.  And I got to see it!  It was worth every prayer, every tear, every consequence and every bit of suffering. 

I saw God sort of use a meat tenderizer to prepare the heart of the new believer.  And what looked to the world like something bad was happening really was a loving Father preparing and calling one of His children into relationship.  

There are always those things that will need to be sorted out, the consequences of bad choices. God, however, doesn’t see them anymore.  As far as the east is from the west, He will never again count sin against His new son. I can picture the angels in Heaven rejoicing.  I picture the faces of family members watching who were part of the great cloud of witnesses.  New life was given today to a prodigal and the air almost smells sweeter because of it. This prodigal will use his past to help others.   God says…

Jeremiah 29:11  “For I know the plans I have for you,”  declares the Lord, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Yes, we need to listen to the report of the Lord over what the world says!

Here is something to make you laugh.  During church service today I went in with giant hopes for my friend.  I didn’t want to ruin the moment so I wouldn’t even look at him.  As the worship music was playing I thought, “I’m not sure I would do it this way.”  And I’m glad the music was loud because I heard God say, “I’ve been in this business a long time.”  He was implying that I should trust Him to do His job.  I was glad the music was loud because I laughed out loud.  Here I was once again trying to tell God how to do His job.  I’m so glad He knows my heart was in the right place.  You hit a home run today and I was so glad to be a witness as You showed off for me!  Well played, God, well played.