I was twelve years old, sitting three quarters of the way
back in the main sanctuary of Christ Sanctified Holy Church in Perry, GA. I was twelve years old when it hit me.
I had since before felt the “call” of God, but never with this clarity and
never with this sense of urgency. To this day in my mind I can toggle
through the memories; snapshots of what took place. I remember the
preacher telling me that if I died I would die lost and go to hell. I
remember seeing the saints of God rejoicing, singing, and shouting up on the
platform, and without question, I remember “the conviction”. It was as if
my insides had been set on fire; I felt so awful for all the things I had done
and the life I had lived…..conviction, condemnation, guilt, pain, remorse,
disgrace, these all flooded my senses; the light was on my dark, sinful, soul;
I responded. Up to my feet I went and down to the alter, in front of a
whole congregation of onlookers, but I didn’t care who looked on, had to have
forgiveness, had to repent, I could not live another moment in this
condition. God forgave me, and I knew it.
That night I went back to the alter. Everyone who I ever
loved and respected told me that I had to be “sanctified” or I will turn back
to the way I was. They told me I needed the “keeping power.” I
am glad they lived the life so they could help me to live it to. That
night I went back to the alter, I was ready to seek it, ready to serve, ready
to give up all. I was ready to be Sanctified. I can’t tell you all
that I prayed, I remember knowing I was sanctified, but still prayed a little
more just to be sure. I remember telling him I was still sorry and him
telling me “I know, let’s focus on the task at hand.” I can’t tell
you all of what I prayed, how long, who was there, or what we sang that
night. I don’t remember to a great degree what all went on; but I
remember when the “witness” came. I remember when HE got full control; it
was not long after I said these words:
“Whatever it takes.”
I told God I will do whatever it takes; go wherever he wanted
me to go, do what he wanted me to do, say what he wanted me to say; little did
I know that in a moments time I went from the garden of Gethsemane, up the hill
of Golgotha, to whole heartily embraced a bloody cross. Laying on that
alter from the deepest part of my heart I express these words: “Lord I will
take the way! No matter what it takes from me.” Not long after my
complete surrender, my total sacrifice, God “answered by fire.” He set my
soul ablaze with love I never had before, with peace I never felt before, with
contentment I thought impossible, and POWER to OVERCOME. I was “indeed
dead to sin and ALIVE to God.” From that moment on God has been leading
me, teaching me, and keeping me. I owe everything to him. Granted
there has been some deep valley’s, and there will be deeper yet. But also, there have been some high mountains,
and the will be higher yet to climb! But
here and now I want to testify that he has been God through it all. He is
still as real at twenty four, as he was at twelve. This is my testimony.
………………………………………………………………………………………………
What I have been thinking about this week is the
testimony. How God saved you is your testimony; and yours to tell.
It is unique to you in some areas, but with certain principle similarities; because
we all must walk the same road back to Fathers house. When we testify we
find strength, and strengthen others. Your testimony is yours and yours
alone, no one can take it from you. When Paul was called to appear before
King Agrippa, after years to ponder his thoughts and what he might say.
He did not go with a mind bending theological sermon, he did not regale him
with miles of memory recalled scripture; rather he chose to give his testimony
(Acts 26). Paul’s testimony, like our own testimonies, punctuates a greater truth
and I believe that truth is this. He
saved us so that we might tell others how to be saved. I guess that
is what this testimony meeting was all about for me; remembering that simple
truth. He saved us, so that we might tell others how to be saved. For me this was about remembering,
remembering the ministry of reconciliation.
“Therefore if any man be
in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things
are become new. And all
things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath
given to us the ministry of reconciliation;” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 &
18
Any thoughts (pgcollins65@gmail.com)? Do you have a testimony?
