It's the most important decision of their lives, and it's the foundation for all the others that will come. But I can't do it for them. And there is never a guarantee they will.
So we pray. And trust. And hope they will choose Jesus for themselves.
When I walked in to pick them up tonight from VBS, the atmosphere was different. Kids weren't running around the parking lot or jumping in the pews. They were sitting quietly while several kids prayed at the altar.
I knew what was happening. Kids were making really big decisions. I peeked through the glass to enjoy what it's really all about.
And then, I saw his head. And his smile.
Elijah was at the altar. My heart skipped a beat and I got really anxious to talk to him. I went around to another door, and when I walked in, one of the adults walked over and told me Elijah had gone forward to pray. About that time, he ran over to me and said- "I became a Christian tonight!" We hugged and he told me he almost cried, but didn't. His smile ate his face. And I choked back tears.
I asked him what that meant- he gave me the right answers before taking off to the bathroom.
I was looking for Isaiah- when another adult told me that he too, was at the altar. I choked back some more tears. My heart pounded. It pounded because I believe everything in the Bible is true- which means my boys deserve Hell just like me. And seeing kids ask Jesus to change their lives is precious.
A few minutes passed, and here he came. He walked right up to me and said- "I got saved" and where's Elijah?
With young kids, you always wonder if they really understand what they are deciding. My first clue that these two were "new creatures, old things passed away" was when they hugged each other in the hallway. No reason. Just stood there hugging.
We got in the car and tried to call their Daddy; but he was still mowing the grass and didn't answer the phone. They were pretty excited, telling me how Elijah prayed with Pastor Jake- "the guy that moves his knuckles" and Isaiah prayed with Pastor Daniel. They told me all about the crucifixion and the tomb and the balloon celebration from tonight's lessons.
When Rex came in- they told him what happened tonight; and explained it like this...
I got saved.
God isn't just in my heart, He's everywhere.
God never sinned, He's perfect.
My sins are gone.
I get to go to heaven.
We've been saying for a while now that these boys need Jesus. There is much to-do about a new baby Prince born in England. And just like me, you and my boys, that baby needs Jesus too. Every human being, whether they like it or not needs Jesus. All is all.
Romans 3:23- For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
We don't get perfect on earth, 'cause we're still just sinners saved by grace. But, what we do get is sanctification. - slowly, through situations and circumstances, big and small, happy and sad step by step, His kids, that's all of us who decide that His blood is enough and ask Him to be our Savior- He makes us more like Him. And how awesome that God, when He looks at us- doesn't see our sin anymore, He's see Jesus.
Ephesians 1:7- In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.
Getting saved, becoming a Christian- it isn't anything that I do, you can do, or my boys did. It's all Jesus and what He did on the cross. His sacrifice for our redemption.
Luke 19:10- For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost"
Revelation 3:20- "Behold, I stand at the door and knock, if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him..."
I'm thankful tonight that Jesus spoke to my boys, and they heard Him and said, Come in!
And choosing Jesus, well that's as big as it gets.
Happy Wednesday y'all!
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