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My story never made headlines. When I struck it rich, the media didn't broadcast my fortune - nor did friends come out of the woodwork wanting a share of my wealth. By society's standards it was a non-event. Perhaps you dream of making a fortune or hope the next lottery ticket will be the "big one". To some, striking it rich seems like a far-fetched dream that only a stroke of luck can deliver. Others hope to achieve it through hard honest work. Do you believe striking it rich in life would bring you security, peace and happiness? Think and worried What did striking it rich mean to me? As a youth, I wanted security not only in this life, but beyond this life. Could I find peace in life's pursuits and pleasures or should I be searching for something deeper? Alone at night or in a thunderstorm, I secretly worried about my own vulnerability - the "what if?" questions. I worried about my future and being held accountable to a Greater Power. What did God require of me? Could I ever have inner peace if these real-life issues were not settled? Resolving the spiritual equation of my life would be nothing less then Striking it rich - big time! I cleared the deck and made this my only priority. Spiritual peace? Could I be absolutely sure of heaven? Would good living, service to humanity, and generosity really cut it in the ultimate test? How could I know God would accept me when that day comes? How could the black specks and spots in my life be erased? Are there really answers to these questions? Its very easy to skirt these deeper issues and leave them for another day - later in life. But if an accident or an illness catches us off guard, then it may be too late. In the attic - alone It was June 2, 1969 when I was alone in the attic. I am not about to tell you of some weird, spiritual hysteria produced by psyching myself out over religious fanaticism, but of coming to grips with the spiritual side of my life. Quietly, a youth anxious to be at peace and ready for eternity, got alone with his Bible and with God. Good living can't tip the scales Despite a good outward appearance, I knew there was a dark energy within - the Bible calls it sin and it lurked in the private chambers of my heart. Sin was a barrier between God and me (Is.59:2). There was nothing I could do to tip the scales in my favor. The Bible was clear: no amount of personal effort could offset sin and failures. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast. (Eph.2:8-9) As valued as it is in society, good living was not the solution nor were there any works of righteousness that I could do. (Titus 3:5) My personal best wasn't enough! That's a jolting discovery! In fact, in God's sight I was nothing more then a sinner in need of a Saviour (Rom.3:23, Rom.5:12). The Bible torpedoes the common belief in the innate and basic goodness of people. Are you having a mild reaction to that? Don't take my word for it - check it out in your own Bible. Turning Point I could not help save myself - that's a bitter pill for self-sufficient human beings to swallow! Left to myself, my future was bleak. Acknowledging a problem is often a turning point. I deserved no favors from God - in fact the wages of sin is death (Rom.6:23). That night it dawned on me - despite my sin, God really loved me. Rather then me paying for my sins, He sent His only Son to die in my place. As my Substitute, Jesus suffered the punishment for my sins on the Cross. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Rom.5:8) Nothing left for me to do Besides the death of Christ, was there anything I could contribute myself - a few prayers, church going, a good life to satisfy God? Jesus said on the Cross: It is Finished! (John 19:30) There was nothing left for me to do - He finished it all. God was 100% satisfied that His Son answered for all my sins. How did I know? God raised Him from the dead. He now offered me salvation as a free gift - the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life... How? ...through Jesus Christ our Lord (Rom.6:23) What happened to me? Simply, I accepted Christ as my very own personal Saviour. You read in history books that the first man walked on the moon in 1969 - a great event; but what about a youth in PEI, Canada striking it rich for eternity that same year! An emotional disturbance in youth? Was it nothing more that an emotional disturbance in my impressionable years? Or am I still enjoying the benefits of striking it rich in 1969? Yes - every day! I have a profound peace and inner stillness - a tranquil current that runs deep below the sometimes stormy waves of life. I personally recommend the Lord Jesus Christ to you. I am not recommending a church or a creed to you - but a Person. The inner peace and joy for which you are searching can alone be found in HIM. His invitation to you is: come to me, all of you who are weary and over-burdened and I will give you rest. (Matt.11:28) He will do you no wrong. |
