I was riding the trolley home from college Band Camp today. Jackie and I sat quietly together, too exhausted to talk much, just staring out the window and watching the sights of the city fly past as we rode. We came up on one of the many stops along the way, and a woman borded and sat adjacent to us, glancing over as the trolley pulled away once more. She was heavyset, dark hair up in a ponytail, and seemed awfully tired herself, so she told us. She started talking to us about her family, and Jackie and I simply listened, making an occasional comment. I could already tell she was in some sort of need; I don’t know how or why… I just felt it.
Then she told us she had just lost her house and was now homeless. She was trying to get to Mast Boulevard so she could get to her mother’s home, since she had nowhere else to go. And then she looked at me and said “You know I had a niece at that house. I was just thinking how much you look like her. It’s crazy, I tell you, but you look just like her. She’s about your age too.” I was aurprised, but smiled and thanked her, and then somnehow we got on the subject of jobs and how Dad and I are both having a hard time finding one, and we finally introduced ourselves.
“What’s your name, ma’am?”
“Kelly. And you?”
“I’m Trish and this is Jackie.”
“Well, Trish, everyone’s having a rough time right now with jobs and everything. And maybe you don’t know how things are gonna turn out, but…” she said, pointing up at the sky, and smiled, “God knows.”
I couldn’t help but realize how lucky I was at that moment. Here was a woman who had just lost almost everything, and she still had the strength to pray everyday and trust God (she’d told me earlier in the conversation), and here I am, about to go to college, young and lively and lucky to have all that I do, and I only ever ask God for things still and worry, worry, worry. I’m like a lot of people who never stop to thank Him and trust Him, even in the tough times…
And I knew God had put me there to be able to talk to her and give her some hope for the day, and her for me. That must have been the feeling I had in the beginning… So many of the people like her who have nothing, or less than nothing even, are so misunderstood. As we pulled up to our stop and stepped out on the platform, I asked “So, would you like any prayer for anything?”
She sighed “Oh, yes! Please pray that I get home. It’s so hot freakin’ and I’m old and tired and all…”
“Well, God doesn’t always answer you directly when you call out to Him, but He is good.” I said.
“Yes, and He always gives you what you need. You may not even realize it,” she said.
“Well, it was really nice to meet you, and I’ll definitely pray. God Bless.” :)
“Thank you, hon. You’re some really great kids, ya know?” She said, smiling again. And though I wish I could have helped her more, I gave her directions to Mast Boulevard, and we parted ways.
Jackie was pretty quiet the whole time, being apprehensive about talking to strangers, but I told her about the feeling I had and how everything worked out, and she seemed at ease after that. I wish we could have helped by giving her a ride, but I know Jacquelyn wouldn’t have liked that, seeing as she was my ride home and she was already uncomfortable enough. But it just goes to show you how even the little things in life can be an opportunity to show God’s love to people, and you may not even realize it at first…little feelings, little hints you may see in others, don’t ignore those moments or pass them up. It just may be another chance to show your faith, and maybe God put you there for a reason… :)
Believing
Thus far I have sought to establish two basic ideas. The first is the way in which our lives were corrupted with inherited sin. The second is that Jesus came as the remedy. According to the Bible, these are completely dependable facts.
Now, I want to consider the relationship between these two realities and the possibility that we can build on them to be personally transformed.
The key in appropriating these truths is to believe them and apply them to ourselves. (The word “believe” conveys the same meaning as “have faith in…”) Let’s look more closely at the concept of believing as it is used in the Bible, for in the New Testament we find the word used nearly 250 times!
First, what believing is not. Believing is not wishful thinking or unfounded hope. It is not about earning a relationship with God. It is not about doing good deeds or just being a “good person.” We do not become believers simply by affiliation with a religious institution or by following tradition or by being born into a Christian family.
Believing requires an object. It is to place our confidence in someone or something. It is an action word. It involves making a conscious decision. We choose to believe – or we choose not to believe. Both involve a decision.
In the biblical meaning, believing engages the depths of our hearts, not just our minds. When we believe, we link the realities mentioned earlier with a commitment to anchor our hope in the person of Jesus.
When we believe, we are responding to God’s love towards us. That love is so profound and so comprehensive it provides the overarching context for all he has done for us, and all he expects of us. Jesus passionately wants us to be complete in our relationship with him.
The Way Home
Here are the key elements by which we become reconciled to the Father. Each is vitally important. Any, if absent, could keep our new relationship from being complete.
Our condition: First, we must understand that we are separated from God. The chasm dividing us is both wide and deep. We inherited a fatal defect at birth. As a result, we have lived our lives independently from him. The Bible emphasizes this stark reality: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). If we can’t come to grips with the fact that sin separates us from God, we’ll never come home spiritually, for there is no need for a savior.
God’s remedy: Second, we need to be very clear in understanding who Jesus is and what he has done for us, in order that we might confidently place our faith in him. He bridged the chasm separating us from God. In the apostle John’s words: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16).
Jesus was not just a good man, a great teacher, an inspired prophet. He came to earth as the Son of God. He was born to a virgin. He led a sinless life. He died. He was buried. He rose again on the third day. He ascended into heaven where he became both Lord and Christ.
Jesus’ death and resurrection on our behalf satisfied God’s requirement – complete provision for our sin. This Jesus, and he alone, is qualified to be the remedy for my sin and yours.
Our response – to repent and believe.
Personal repentance is vital in the transformation process. Repentance literally means “a change of mind.” It is to say to the Father, “I want to turn toward you and away from the life I’ve lived independently from you. I am sorry for who I’ve been and what I have done and I want to permanently change. I receive your forgiveness for my sins.”
Many at this point experience a remarkable “washing” from a lifetime’s accumulation of all that can degrade a person’s soul and spirit. Whether or not we sense God’s forgiveness, if we repent, we can be very certain that we’re forgiven. Our confidence is based on God’s promise to us, not how we feel.
We come into a personal relationship with the Lord when we make life’s greatest decision – the turning point referred to earlier. It is to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, the One who died for our sins, who was buried and was raised from the dead – and to receive him as our Savior and Lord. When we believe in this way, we become God’s children. This is emphatically promised in John’s gospel: “To all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12).
Would you like to receive Jesus Christ as your savior? If you would, you can pray a prayer like this:
“Jesus, I need you. I repent for the life I’ve lived apart from you. Thank you for dying on the cross to take the penalty for my sins. I believe you are God’s Son and I now receive you as my Lord and Savior. I commit my life to follow you.” may God bless you dear readers...!!
A Lifelong Journey
Once a solid spiritual foundation has been set in place, we are able to grow into the new life God has promised us. The Bible calls this “maturing in Christ.” As we can readily attest, it is a lifelong process.
God’s intent is that as new believers, we become different people. We are “under construction.” We’re being transformed from the inside out. The chief architect of these changes is God himself. As a loving father, he comes alongside to personally direct our growth.
From my experience, and in observing others, some dramatic new patterns emerge. Harmful habits change. Attitudes, thinking and language move to a new level. Motives come under scrutiny. We ask, “Why on earth did I do that!” God shows us how to behave differently and we move on.
The process continues. Selfishness gives way to service. Relationships with others are restored. Bitterness, envy, jealousy and hatred diminish as love increases. We experience a new dimension of joy. Not overnight I should say, but steadily, progressively. Profound adjustments are underway. We realize it is true – we really are new creations because Christ is living in us!
These inward changes soon become visible. The new believer wants to get together with others who also have a faith in Christ. We’re not alone! Fresh bonds of trust, love and mutual respect are forged.
The Bible, God’s own inspired word to us, becomes a newfound friend, now more relevant and understandable. We encounter the Holy Spirit, the indwelling presence of Jesus himself. We discover he is an incredible guide if we give him access.
But our new relationship brings needed constraints. It is not “anything goes,” for we see that our God is a holy God. He is to be honored, revered and obeyed. As we embrace the high standards he has set for us, we realize even they are for our benefit. In fact, everything he provides us and does for us is for our good.
Our new life in Christ is not one of unbroken success. There are fresh challenges. Old habits and old associations don’t change easily. Conflicts arise. There are even spiritual forces that oppose us. We doubt. We become discouraged.
Yet it’s different. We’re not on our own. We have entered a new and living bond with Jesus Christ. He leads. We follow. Our faith is set on a new foundation – and that foundation is Christ. How wonderful and reassuring are his words to us: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
In time, the transformed life impacts everything we are and do. Recall the relationship Adam experienced with God before the fall. Would not the Lord want to see that kind of fellowship restored, even in our work? Let us give our life to the Lord in Christ and may God bless you…!!