Quite some time ago, I did a lengthy interview with a church member. It was largely due to the fact that our then pastor hoped to inspire parishioners to share testimonies so that we may encourage one another. Being a writer, and taking special interest in people’s stories, I volunteered to spearhead Pastor’s vision. Unfortunately, Paul was the only one who responded to our fishing for participants.
While cleaning and sorting paperwork not long ago, (it seems I’m always sorting paperwork), I came across the notes I took during my interview with Paul — pages and pages of notes, plus photos I took of notes he had written.
There was his falling away from the LORD, his wife wanting him to go to church with her and his refusal, his return to the LORD through a tele-evangelist, the health struggles he’s had and the healing he’s received, and crazy experiences in general. Too much for my blog, but I wanted to honor him in some way as our only participant and the time he gave to me.
So I approached him one Sunday and asked, “Paul, out of all the things you told me, what is the number one thing you would want an audience to know?”
I recall little hesitation and smiling as he said, “There’s so much, but I think what I would want people to know the most, is that the LORD’s been with me since I was young.”
He told of a time when he was walking home from the one room schoolhouse for lunch. He was crossing a bridge when he heard his name.
“Paul.”
That was it. He turned and looked but no one was there. Just his name spoken, once. And with that, he wants you to know that the LORD has been with him since he was young.
I’ve been mulling over the simplicity of his answer.
I myself was saved at a very young age. Truth, I don’t recall the actual experience. What I do recall is belting out Jesus Loves Me for all the world to hear and a sweet, sweet tenderness toward my Savior. It’s been a quiet, growing love relationship for decades. And I can say with Paul, “The LORD has been with me since I was young.”
Young or old, male or female, white for black, the LORD has been with you since you were young. Are you aware of Him? Do you have a relationship with Him? You can, you know. It’s never too late to choose Jesus. It’s never too late to get to know the Lover of your soul.
I hope you will seek to discover what God has written in your book (Psalm 139:16) and the good plans and future that He has for you (Jeremiah 31:3). Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14) and loved just as you are by God (Jeremiah 31:3). When you seek Him with all of your heart, you will find Him (Jeremiah 29:13) and He will reveal to you what He has written and what He has planned (Deuteronomy 29:29). I hope you will join me; invest the time to seek Him. I promise, it will be worth it.
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