An Invitation That Changed My Life Forever
I received an invitation once that changed my life forever. And this invitation led me to the place where I first heard of the word serendipity. I like that the life-changing invitation and serendipity went together in my life! Here’s the short version of my testimony.
My friend and next-door neighbor since birth, Leah, had a profound impact on my life. Though we grew up enjoying years of playing Chinese jump rope, Barbies and cards, it was an invitation she extended to me when I was in 9th grade that transformed my heart.
Forever.
Leah invited me to attend her youth group that was simply called Senior High. A group of 9th – 12th graders gathered each Sunday evening for worship, Bible study, prayer and fellowship. There I made wonderful friendships, had loads of fun, and opened God’s Word for the first time.
But most importantly, I began a life-long relationship with myFirst Love, Jesus.Through this youth group to which Leah invited me and a Bible study I attended on Friday evenings with my mom, God lovingly revealed my sin to me and my need for the Savior. He drew me to Himself and I received Jesus as Savior and Lord.
Only by His grace.
And in His goodness, God drew me to Himself at a critical time in my young life — just in the midst of the awkward years of junior high and high school! He saved me from many poor choices that could have devastated my life. He also tenderly reached out to me during a time in my life when my parents separated in their marriage. Though I knew both of my parents loved me deeply and I didn’t misunderstand their individual and marital issues as something personal against or about me, my heart was still saddened and my family was broken.
By God’s sweet mercy and grace, He gave me wisdom, discernment and understanding beyond my years concerning my parents’ separation. Like I do every single moment, I needed His perfect provision during that season of life. I know that His love and faithfulness have sustained each person in my family, and for that I am so grateful. And my heart is eternally humbled and thankful that He kindly and lovingly knocked on the door of my heart at the most tender of times.
Titus 3:4-7 is my life salvation verse.
“But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of
His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by
the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus
Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might
become heirs having the hope of eternal life.”
If you do not yet have a personal, saving relationship with Jesus, He desires that with you.
2 Peter 3:9 says: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise…He is long-suffering towards us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”
If you would like to receive Christ as your Savior in your heart, you can say a prayer of sincerity to Him in your heart. I encourage you to contact the pastor of a Bible-teaching church or contact a friend or family member who is walking with Christ. Fellowship in a Bible-teaching church and desire accountability with a mature believer. Open His Word daily and soak in His truths. Perhaps start with the Gospel of John or with Psalm 119. He will meet you as you open His Word!
Click: http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/ and https://www.billygraham.org/commitment.asp .
And I would be simply DIPlighted to hear from you! sharon@serendipitydipsbook.com
Dollops of love,
Sharon
