A Fictional Narrative – The Miracle of Salvation
“Thou has made us for thyself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it finds its rest in thee” (Augustine of Hippo).
A Fictional Narrative
There once was a good man who attempted to do everything right in his journey through life. He was looked up to and admired by his family and all those around him. He believed in God and gave to those less fortunate. He attended church weekly, provided for his family, and prayed to God. By all accounts; this man was an example to everyone around him.
Yet, the man felt incomplete. He knew there was something missing in his life. There was a void deep within that was not satisfied by anything in his life. He seemed to have it all, a wonderful family, a good job, and friends; yet he knew there must be more.
“And you shall seek me, and find me, when you shall search for me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).
As it would happen, on his way to work each day he passed a storefront mission. Every time he passed by it seemed to be a hub of activity with people coming and going. Each day he felt a drawing to stop and visit this mission. He fought this urge justifying his reluctance to go in. He told himself that this really was not his type of place. It seemed to him that most of those going into the mission were down on their luck and in need of what he felt a mission like this could offer them. He had a good life and was in need of nothing materially. However, each time he passed by he felt a strong drawing to go in.
“The Lord guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way” (Psalm 25:9).
The man fought this pull toward the mission for months. However, one day as he passed by, he noticed that there was more activity in front of the mission then he had ever seen before. A huge banner draped the entire front of the building. The banner had the words “REVIVAL TODAY” in large letters that completely filled up the whole banner.
The man pulled his car to the side of the road and just sat there for the longest time staring at the building and the banner. Many people were arriving and going inside. They all seemed so happy. He made the decision that this was the day that he would find out just what was going on inside the mission.
“For the Son Of Man (Jesus) has come to seek and to save that which was lost (speaks of us all)” (Luke 19:10).
As he entered the building he noticed that it was almost filled to capacity. He found a seat in the back and waited for whatever it was that was planned to start. Finally, a man, who identified himself as the pastor, came out and stood in the front of the room behind a podium. Music began to fill the room. All those in attendance began to sing along. They all seemed to know the words and sang with great joy.
“Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say rejoice” (Philippians 4:4).
Once the music came to an end, the pastor began to speak to all those present. He seemed to have a knowledge of the things of the Lord and an intimacy with the Lord that the man had never witnessed from anyone before. He spoke of a personal relationship with God that was available to anyone who so desired it. The man listened and came to the realization that this was what was missing in his life. At the end of the service, the pastor invited those present who did not know the Lord in a personal way to come forward. The man went forward and knelt before the Lord, asking for forgiveness and accepting the Lord’s gift of salvation.
” I love them who love Me, and those that seek me early shall find Me” (Proverbs 8:17).
He immediately felt a lifting of the burden he had carried with him his whole life. He was totally forgiven by the Lord and it was such a freeing feeling. Not only forgiven, but he now had a personal relationship with the One who loved him and died for him. The man left the meeting rejoicing in all the Lord had done for him.
[I just want to thank You Lord for all that You have done for me.]
He realized that of all those at the mission that day, that he may have been the neediest of all. The man finally understood that although he had been trying to live a good life, it was a life of trying to be good enough and a life of trying to serve or appease a God he did not really know. He had come to realize after seeing the Lord’s goodness towards him, and admitting his own desperate need of forgiveness, that he was to humble himself before the Lord and accept what the Lord had already provided by His death on the cross – the gift of salvation.
The Bible says, “There is none righteous no not one” and, “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Once the man realized that the Lord had done it all and he needed only to accept it, he was filled with thanksgiving toward the Lord and filled with great joy. A new day had dawned in his life and he was so grateful. The Lord had seen his need and had reached down to him in mercy. It was truly amazing grace.
If in our journey through this life we come into the knowledge of the Lord, we are truly blessed and have come to know the true path of life.
“You will make known to me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forever” (Psalm 16:11).
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Always Remember,
God Loves You!
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Here I Am, Lord – Tom Quinn Ministries – tqministries.com 2019
Here I Am, Lord - - tqministries.com 