On February 2, 1991, a young man in 9th grade gave his life fully to Christ. That young man was me. Looking back, 24 years later, what would I say to that young man? Would I tell him how that decision would change everything in his life? Honestly, that young man didn’t care – he knew it would change everything, and he was willing, as long as it was true and genuine. I had grown up in a Christian home with parents who lived out their faith. I had prayed for Jesus to come into my heart many times before. But on February 2, 1991, I decided to stop playing the “look like a Christian” game, and I decided to really devote my life to Jesus – in studying the Bible, in my language, in my attitude, in my obedience, and in being willing to do anything Jesus asked me to do. I have made other big decisions for Jesus – to go into vocational ministry, to church plant, and others – but February 2, 1991 is a day I specially mark because it is the one decision that set up all the other decisions. It was a simple decision: I will truly follow Jesus, anything He asks, no matter what.
Our lives are a journey. We make big decisions followed by many little decisions. We can gradually turn to Jesus or slowly drift away from Him. There come moments, though, when it is time to make big decisions, and these choices can change our lives. When we choose to make these big decisions for Jesus, it is important to set up spiritual markers or memorials – spiritual birthdays – so we can look back and reflect on our choices for Jesus, and how they have shaped and changed our lives. That is what I am doing today, and I wanted to share with you. What I can tell you after 24 years – and what that 9th grade young man would tell you as well – is choose Jesus. Give your life fully to Him; don’t live a halfway faith. He is worth the risk; He loves you more than you could imagine; He is everything. Follow Him no matter what.
