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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
September 2002 |
My Witness:
Just when was it I was saved'?
By Dan Byerley
How many times have you talked to someone that ,at some point in their life, accepted Jesus Christ as their personal Savior -- and they can tell you the exact time, date, year and place they felt his presence enter their life.
My testimony doesn't include a blinding revelation or a brilliant epiphany, and sometimes I feel I was missing something. How come I never felt that at one moment I was a sinner and the next I was saved? Had I missed something?
Hardly! I realized that all my life I had known Jesus was my personal savior and he had always been an important part of my life. Where had this realization come from? My parents, Jessie and Lynn of course. From a very early age the importance of having God in my life had always been a priority for them. And they never let me forget how much they loved me as well as how much God loved me.
Even through my 30-year absence from the church, my rebellious teenage years and early adulthood, I know I tried my parents patience and probably God's as well. But during that time not once did I ever feel unloved by them or God.
When I came back to the church I knew in my heart this is what God wanted me to do. This was where I needed to be. And, yes, I will admit my intentions were to be a casual observer and not an active participant. But God has other ideas.
When I look back over the last 10 or 12 years and see the changes that have taken place in my life I am in awe of the mighty power of God. Because if he can take a back-sliding sinner like me and turn me into an active member of the family of Christ, then his power is unlimited.
Maybe that was my blinding revelation. Maybe coming back to the church was actually me inviting Jesus back into my life. Even though he was there all along.
Whatever the case may be, I thank God daily for the many gifts he has given me. Loving parents, a wonderful church family, the gifts of love, hope, grace and mostly the gift of his son, Jesus Christ who gave up his life so I might live.
My testimony may not include precise times or years and I may not be able to tell you at what point I felt I was saved, I know in my heart that I was saved. Whether it was at a very young age or whether it was when I came back to the church. At some point I was saved and my life has never been the same, nor will it ever be again.
Last updated on 01/14/2004Dan Byerley is a member of Centenary UMC in New Albany.