Being part of something bigger than yourself is the greatest gift of all. That gift was given to each and every one of us in and through God. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Before giving my heart to the Lord it was all about me – my pain, my sorrow, my present, past and future. Before I knew Him, I was dead inside.
Recently, our Lead Pastor put this question out to the congregation: “What do you know now that you wished you knew 10 years ago?” I’ve often wonder what my life would have been like if I would have known Jesus 10 years ago rather than five. I wonder would my knowing Him have had a greater impact on my children? I wonder would my knowing Him have had a greater impact on others? I know what the answers to those questions questions are: unequivocally YES. I would have been part of something bigger that would have taken my focus off myself and placed it on Him and on others.
Why didn’t the God-fearing, Christ-loving people in my life ever share the gospel with me? Did people make assumptions that I wouldn’t want to hear the Good News? They people assume I wasn’t ready to hear it? Did anyone ever look at my crusty and abrasive character and think – “OY! She needs some Good News to soften her up!” Did I seem like a hopeless case?
Hear my heart on this; I’m not blaming anyone for the time I missed with Him. I try not to look back upon any part of my life with regret because I know that God can use and has used much of it for greater purposes than I could have ever imagined. BUT, what if – God forbid – I would have perished before I surrendered?
I try to look for the positive in everything. I choose to look back upon those years and say, had I not fully experienced them perhaps my heart would not be so burdened for others who don’t yet know Jesus. Maybe I’d have assumed that if people believe in God, they must believe in His Son.
So why bother bringing the whole thing up, you wonder? Glad you asked. The Great Commission is not A Great Suggestion. Those of us who say we love God must act in loving ways. Jesus said, “If you love me, you will obey my command,” John 14:15.
Looking back at the past can serve a good purpose. The hurts and regrets of the past are a launching pad to a glorious testimony – a future filled with Good News that can be shared with everyone.
