My journey to Christ began during one of the most difficult periods in my life. On November 15, 2022, my fiancé and spouse of nearly 16 years unexpectedly passed away. Feelings of anger, sadness, frustration, and depression overwhelmed me.
Many kind people reached out with their condolences, including the folks at the O’Leary Gospel Hall. Several members signed a card and included some Bible verses, along with financial assistance. My sister-in-law suggested I could attend a gospel meeting to show my appreciation for their kindness.
The Gospel Hall atmosphere was inviting, without the air of ceremony. The meetings were simple with two speakers who spoke directly from the Bible regarding Jesus, God, and Salvation. Not the sort of church experience I remembered as a child. At first, I attended because I felt obligated to repay their kindness, however, I began noticing people enjoying their faith, especially my brother and sister-in-law. My continued depression and confusion with life’s circumstances caused me to continue attending the meetings, hoping to discover what gave them joy.
The members were patient to answer my questions, and while the key points of the gospel messages seemed clear, how they were relevant to me wasn’t as clear. It felt like I was standing outside a door, wanting to enter, but not knowing how.
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Matthew 7:13 & 14
I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. John 10:9
On the morning of March 10, 2023, I sat in a car outside the hospital where my fiancé’s tragic journey began. To help distract myself I picked out a podcast from a Gospel feed recommended to me. The podcast featured a Scottish preacher who shared his life story, the importance of the Word of God, and salvation. As I listened to him, the Spirit of God nudged me as he read Joel 2:32 which says –
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.
Hitting pause, I began speaking aloud to myself and to God, admitting I was a sinner, that I needed help. From the depths of my sorrowing heart, I called out that I believed Christ suffered and died for me at Calvary’s cross, and by His sacrifice my sins were forgiven. It seemed as if a weight was lifted from me! I later understood that God had saved me that moment and given me His free gift – eternal life!
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
That will always be a memorable morning! I know I’m saved from sin by God’s grace and the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus Christ. My journey began in the depths of sorrow but I’m now enjoying real joy.
