This is the anniversary month of my salvation. Each year, I like to remember the changes that occurred since Jesus came into my life. Before I met Him, I was a shy, sad child. As a daughter of a military dad, I had no place to call home. Because we moved frequently, I had no lasting friendships. Our family was dysfunctional. I despised cold weather, but we were stuck in Upper Michigan amidst long winters with heavy snowfall. Then we got orders to, of all places, Alaska. My heart sank.
But God was working behind the scenes. Soon after we arrived, we attended a mission church there. For the first time in my life, I learned that Jesus had not only died for the sins of the world, but He died for MY sin. I learned that unless I accepted His sacrifice for me personally, I could not go to heaven. At that time, I was headed for eternity in the lake of fire. I did not fully understand what I needed to do to accept Christ until Pastor Mac showed me from God's Word how to be saved. That Sunday night, I acknowledged my sin to God and claimed my forgiveness through Jesus' shed blood. I asked Him to come into my life, committing my life to live for Him. In the next few days, my whole family became saved.
That was many years ago. Some memories of my early years have faded, but I still remember what kind of child I was and I can recognize several changes now. I have a permanent home now. I will someday reside in Heaven for eternity. Several brothers and sisters in Christ have become my eternal friends. But more importantly, I have a Friend Who sticks closer than a brother, Who is always with me, waiting for my interaction with Him. I am no longer sad or depressed, but peace and joy accompany me. Those are just a few of the changes.
"He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings." Psalm 40:2
When Christ comes into our lives, He makes a difference. What difference has He made in your life?
Ponder that!
