I was 6 when I first accepted Jesus’ gift of Salvation, partly out of fear of going to hell.  Mennonite friends told me that I would go to hell for watching television!  My mom then had the opportunity to explain that hell was the punishment for my sin, not for watching TV.  I remember the moment that I prayed and I am confident it was the moment of my salvation.  However, a true moment of repentance came at the age of 13 when I had an overwhelming sense of my selfishness, and the contrast to the selflessness of Christ’s gift of his very life.  I knew that I owed him so much more than I was giving.  So, I tearfully offered the rest of my life for his service.  It was God’s gentle touch on my spirit that drew me to him in that moment, and He has never ceased drawing me to him as He continually reveals my pitfalls, and in return, reveals his grace and desire to impact my life in an intimate way.

Discipline in my own pursuit of godliness and truly caring for others has been an ongoing process for me, but since KNOWING God (in both mind and spirit) I have experienced so many moments of God’s presence, beyond myself.  The Holy Spirit does not let me alone when I live in sin.  My soul YEARNS for the Word and times of stillness with God.  There is real peace and fullness in me at times of surrender to His will (living in obedience).  These are all evidences of His existence and influence.

I absolutely love Acts 17:26-27 – “…he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live.  God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us.”

If I FEEL far from God, I rely on the knowledge that He is not far from me, or anyone else that I know.