When I was 19 years old, I decided I didn’t like life much. Actually, I had decided that a few years earlier.
I wanted out of life, but knowing that wasn’t really an option, I decided to give my life away—as I’d heard could be done.
And so… I did.
I gave my life away to Jesus Christ. It was a 100% full offering.
And it turned out to be the best decision I ever made.
That day in 1977, I got on my knees at a park by the water and I told God that I was in need of Him, that I wasn’t interest in living life so I wanted to offer it to Him to do whatever He wanted to do with it.
It was an honest, spontaneously spoken, yet heartfelt and intentional prayer that went something like this:
“God, I’m done. To be honest, I don’t want to live anymore. I’m just not interested. But I know that taking my life isn’t right. So I have an idea. I want to give my life to You to do with it whatever you want. At this moment I declare that Jane is dead. And now from this moment on my life is yours. I give it to You and to Jesus. You can do whatever you want to with, and through, me. Amen.”
I was alone but I remember when I got up, I saw someone walking far in the distance and they looked my way. A witness of sorts.
{ I’ve always wondered who that was… }
Because at that divine moment, heaven and earth collided and that person witnessed the formation of a new creation in Christ.
It was holy ground.
If you are ready to give your life away, to accept His amazing grace, and to find your worth and joy and purpose in Him, please pray a prayer something like this:
Lord Jesus Christ, I don’t understand everything about this but somehow, in my heart, I believe You are real and that You are listening. I need and want You. I want a new life. I know I’m a sinner. And I am so sorry for my sins. Forgive me for my sins. Wash me clean by Your freely sacrificed blood on the cross. I welcome You and Your Holy Spirit into my heart and life. As best as I know how, I give you my life right now. Amen.
You may, and you may not, have felt some feelings when you prayed that prayer.
If you did, that’s wonderful. But if you didn’t, it doesn’t mean that your prayer “didn’t take”–that it wasn’t heard and answered.
YOU ARE A BRAND NEW CREATION IN CHRIST JESUS. ALL things have passed away and, behold, all things are new. Hallelujah!
Here is the proof from the holy Word of God:
This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Romans 10:13
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9,10
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns. Philippians 1:6
And I want to also say that for me “the proof” is also seeing radically changed lives. People may be able to argue “facts” on an intellectual plane—but you can’t argue with “the fact” of the millions upon billions of people whose lives have turned upside down and right side out after they gave their life to a God they can’t see. It may not make sense to the mind, but there is more to this life than what we can see and think.
I am one of those billions and I personally know many, many “new creatures in Christ.” They come in all colors, I.Q.’s, and economic and social statuses. But the common ground is the life-changing love of Jesus we have experienced.
When we change into this “new person in Christ” are we perfect or striving to become perfect? Oh heaven’s no! It’s more about learning how loved we are, and WHO loves us, and why He created us.
Where we learn this is in the Bible—God’s holy and inspired Word and “information and instruction manual.”
If you don’t have a Bible, go to a bookstore and look at various ones to see which one you think you would love to read and study. There are a LOT to choose from these days!
Also, it’s important that you find some other believers to spend time with so that you will have a good environment to grow.
Look for a Bible study or church that is a good fit.
If the first, second, third, fourth, (you get the idea) one you visit doesn’t seem right, keep looking. You’ll find it. Like-minded people congregate together.
Pray that God will lead you to the one that you will love to go to and where you will meet some awesome new friends.
This isn’t about a religious duty that you have to keep. It is a blessing and a place for you to grow.
You have just entered into the adventure of a lifetime.
The adventure that seamlessly leads into an eternity with Him.
Close your eyes and let this sink deep into the depths of your soul: