Hopeless.

That was me… until I heard God’s voice.

My heart had to be ready before my ears could hear.

I remember the moment as if it was yesterday. It was dark, the music was loud, and there were strobe lights… yes, strobe lights. I was in a nightclub. I remember my cousin passing by and we spoke and laughed and assured each other we’d see each other in the morning at church.

See, it didn’t matter how late I stayed out the night before or what I did, I knew I needed to attend church and not because I grew up in church but because deep down inside I knew I needed it.

This particular night, immediately following our laughs, God spoke to my heart. His voice was soft but yet crystal clear.  He warned me that the path I was headed on would leave me to complete destruction, but He could save me; He wanted to save me.

What startled me the most, wasn’t that I could hear God’s voice with music thumping, smoke blowing and voices roaring. What startled me was God’s assurance that he could save me.  See… I thought I was saved. I made it to church every Sunday and I put money in the offering basket. What I didn’t know was that right there, in that nightclub I could have accepted Christ into my heart, nobody told me that. I thought I had to go to church to officially be saved.

The following morning, like ever Sunday morning, I got dressed and went to church, not just any church but the church that I was a member of.  Hmm… I’d ignorantly misinterpreted church membership with salvation…

When I arrived, I couldn’t focus on the message. I was anxious for the message to be over. I needed him, my pastor at the time to get to the … “does anyone want to be saved or…, the or is very important. “Or, does anyone want to give their life BACK to Christ?” The or never came… it came every Sunday but not this Sunday. I sat still for a few moments, I couldn’t move. All sort of thoughts raced through my head… what is my pastor gone say?, what is the congregation gone say?, they thought I was “saved” already.  Shoot, I thought I was saved!

I had always felt so heavy, heavy with my past mistakes, failures, and fears. As I walked to the front where my pastor stood, at each step I felt lighter and lighter. By the time I reached him I felt completely FREE!

Tears that I’d fought back for years fiercely streamed down my face. My pastor, you know, the one I was concerned about… he lead me right into the sinners prayer, with no questions asked.

On August 1, 2004, my life changed forever and I have never been the same!  I’m thankful for that night in the club… more thankful for God’s love, grace and mercy.

God didn’t send his son to condemn the world but that through him the world might be saved (John 3:17).

Today, you can experience God’s love, his grace, and his mercy.  Today, you can make a decision to allow your heart to be transformed.  Today, you can make a decision to no longer walk in hopelessness but to walk in the hope of God.

Scripture says: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved (Rom 10:9).

I would love to hear of the time when you received God’s love.  No worries if you haven’t as of yet, today… at this moment, right where you are, you can accept the Father’s love and be saved.  🙂

Looking forward to hearing from each of you,

💜 Chrystal