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“There's just something different about you
guys,” Linda wrinkled her face into a puzzled look as she spoke. “What are you
so excited about? I just don't understand.”
Bob grinned at her. “You see, Linda, we're excited because we've found the
answer to all our problems. We've found Jesus.”
But that only deepened Linda's troubled expression. “Jesus! I've heard about
Jesus since I was a tiny baby. I've gone to church all my life. I just don't
understand how you guys get so excited about Jesus!”
Linda had recently moved to town and the youth at her church had invited her to
attend “Power Hour.” They met in a renovated shack, a group of happy teens
sitting cross-legged on the carpet. As she observed these Christian young
people, she sensed that she was out of place. These kids were different. There
was a sense of enthusiasm and vibrancy which was unfamiliar to her.
She watched with amazement as they sang. This was no dutiful obligation they
were performing, like in her youth group back home. These kids really sang their
hearts out, and they were loving it.
And then came the sharing time. This was awesome. Each one produced a
well-marked, obviously well-read Bible and began turning to favorite passages.
“Listen to this!” Jerry exclaimed with his face beaming. There was a definite
tone of awe in his voice as he read his favorite promise. “This text was written
just for me,” he said. He proceeded to share an experience from the week before.
“The Lord really spoke to my heart through this text. It was exactly what I
needed to hear!” Linda could tell that Jerry was totally sincere as he spoke.
Then Adie shared about a difficult situation she had recently faced. “I needed a
special promise for peace, and the Lord gave me this one.” She read Isaiah 26:3.
“You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You, Because he
trusts in You.' Isn't that beautiful!” she said, her face shining.
Jodie bounded up with an explosive joy. “Praise the Lord,” she enthused. “God is
so good! He revealed Himself to me in such a powerful way this week!” She shared
a thrilling experience of answered prayer. And on and on it went. These kids had
discovered a source of joy and peace that bubbled out of them and tumbled around
Linda as she soaked it all in. Where did these kids get this all this
enthusiasm?
She came back the next week, and the next. Something was drawing her. Were these
kids for real? Maybe it would rub off on her. But then on the other hand, she
didn't know if she really wanted to be that different. There were some things
out there in the world that she was just discovering, and she knew that they
weren't compatible with what was happening at “Power Hour.”
Linda had another crowd of friends, and she joined in with their wild pursuits,
however it was with some reservation. She felt torn. Maybe the “Power Hour”
group had something she needed. Maybe Jesus could solve her problems.
Yes, Linda did have some problems. What teen doesn't? There were times when she
felt all alone, insecure, frightened. But she had learned to chase away those
feelings by being “wild and crazy” and having “fun” with her worldly friends.
The feelings of rebellion and defiance made her feel heady and strong. But then
the guilt and remorse would come, and she would think of the things she'd heard
at “Power Hour.” What was this religious stuff all about, anyway?
For a while, Linda drifted away from her Christian friends. Life went on. Still
in her search of happiness, she got married. Surely this would bring her the joy
that had eluded her. And it did, for a while.
But after a while, the romance wore off. Things were rather miserable at home.
Then, as a result of some bad decisions, Linda found herself at her lowest
point. Life suddenly wasn't very much fun. In her despair, she didn't know where
she could turn. Then she thought of Power Hour. Was it still happening? She
decided to check it out.
Sure enough, they were still there, still as enthusiastic as ever. These people
were definitely excited about Jesus.
Linda watched and listened intently. She was feeling a deep longing inside.” I
really do want what these kids have,” she decided.
Later, that night at home alone, Linda opened her Bible. She turned to a verse
one of the girls had shared that evening. It was a familiar text; she'd even
memorized it as a young girl.
Jeremiah 31:3. She remembered how her friend had inserted her own name as she
read it, so she thought she'd try it. She read, “ I have loved you, Linda, with
an everlasting love. Therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
She shut her eyes and imagined she could see Jesus standing there, arms
outstretched, speaking those words to her personally. “Linda, I am drawing you,”
He was saying, “I love you, Linda, I love you!” Linda felt that Jesus was
pouring out His abundant love on her. She squeezed her eyes tighter as tears
began to flow out. “Jesus loves me,” Linda sobbed, “He really does! I've heard
it all my life, but now I believe it in my heart. It really is true.” And Linda
put her head down on the couch and wept. Her hard heart of stone melted like wax
as she confessed her sins. She could see Jesus dying on the cross for her sins.
And just then, as she invited Him in to take control of her life, Jesus became
her personal Savior and her very dearest friend.
The next morning Linda woke with an exciting new feeling. She grabbed her Bible
and turned to some of the verses she'd marked as her friends had shared at Power
Hour. As she read, her eyes opened wide, and a soft, Wow! escaped her lips.
“Thank you, Jesus!” came next, and more tears. And then “Praise the Lord!” She
was discovering precious treasures in the Word of God. And her time of
fellowship with Jesus was sweet.
Linda could hardly wait to attend Power Hour next week. From the glow on her
face, her friends knew what had happened before she even opened her mouth. When
she shared her experience, her friends exclaimed, “Praise the Lord. We've been
praying for you.” They were so happy for her! What a special time of rejoicing
they had, and the angels rejoiced with them. Then as her friends shared how the
Lord had been speaking to them out of the scripture that week, Linda smiled to
herself, “Now I really do understand!”
This is my story of what happened over 25 years ago. Life has had its ups and
downs, but one thing has always been constant. Jesus has always been there for
me. He has remained a faithful and true Best Friend, giving me peace and hope
and assurance. And His Word has become even more precious to me over the years,
because it is full of promises that He has fulfilled throughout my life. I have
tested Him, and He is worthy of my trust. And I praise Him from the bottom of my
heart for all that He has done for me. |
Linda
Kirk - "What Are You So Excited About?"
