Conversion experience

Each one of us is blessed with spiritual gifts. These gifts are discussed in I Corinthians Ch. 12, "There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but the same God works all of them in all men." Left unchecked, the positive elements of these gifts can cause us to sin. I believe one of my gifts is my competitiveness. I'd like to share with you how I tried to manage that gift. Since my Sophomore year in High School I have learned how to remain focused on a goal. Running became an obsession and the vehicle for me to channel my drive. By my Senior year, I was undefeated for most of the track season. Each week I was breaking school and meet records in the 1 and 2-mile run. I still hold school records set 23 years ago. By the conclusion of my college years, my time in the 26-mile marathon of 2:35 was within 8 minutes from qualifying for the Olympics. My focus had earned me track scholarships, the opportunity to race on a national level, regular interviews in newspapers and the popularity among my classmates. I knew all of these "good things" were happening because of my efforts. I had learned how to manage my life around my needs, my agenda, and my goals.

My arrogance had caused me to forget were the source of my drive came from. And what my responsibility was with these gifts. My life began to fall apart, a little at a time. My friends stopped coming by, probably because they got tired of hearing about me. I had been dating someone for over three years. We had talked about marriage. She was growing tired of being with me. She said there wasn't any foundation to my personality. Even though my grades were doing well, I was restless, confused and seemed lost.

It was about 9:30PM Wednesday night during Spring break my Senior year. I had just came from our mid-week worship service. I couldn't remember what the topic of the sermon was but I did remember what hit me. I couldn't answer the question, "Did I know with certainty that I would go to heaven". I was stunned!

I had been raised in the church since my baptism. My parents took me to church, Sunday school and to church camps. In fact the college I was attending was church sponsored. I was going through the motions of being religious without thinking about were it was getting me. Human arrogance. Pride can cost many people their eternity. Matthew 18:2, "Jesus called a little child and had him stand among them and He said: 'I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like this child you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the Kingdom if Heaven.'" I knew that I was justified in God's eyes by my faith. And that my faith was a free gift from God; His grace! But where was my focus; not on God. My spirit of independence and self-effort that brought me success in many areas of my life was driving a wedge between me and my Savior.

Jesus said pride would keep people out of heaven- religious pride, family pride, image pride. He said we needed to become like a little child who willingly admits that he can't make it without outside help. That's why Jesus came.

Jesus said in Romans 3:10, "There is no one righteous, no not one. The bible goes on to say "When we were still powerless Christ died for the ungodly, while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" In his awesome love for you and for me, God's Son did the dying for us on His cross, and now He calls us to come to him, not proud and self-sufficient, but realizing that we have nothing to contribute. We just have to bow at His cross and say, "Jesus, you're my only hope."

That Wednesday night, with the help of my Christian room mate and my loving Savior I dedicated my life to honoring, praising God. I understood then where the blessings came from, and why God gave them to me. Since then my friendships have become deeper. I began dating again and met someone else very special, perhaps you know her. To this day I am still very competitive and active. I swim, bike and run toward a different goal - toward a personal relationship with Jesus and a life of service to others. God loves you and so do I.

Thank you.

Jon Paul