January 20, 2003
Mike B.- pastor found Jesus on tropical island
My name is Mike Britt. I am so glad that I have the assurance that I will spend forever in heaven. But, there was a time when I felt all alone in the world. I had no sense of peace, no direction, only an emptiness inside. I would often lie awake at night, afraid of dying.
Then I had an experience that changed my life forever.
You see, throughout my childhood, I had attended church regularly and, at age 12, I followed the example of several of my friends, was baptized, and joined the church. But, I didn’t really understand much about what I was doing and no one ever explained to me about how the Bible says that we can (and we need to) have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
Oh, I believed in God. But, I thought of Jesus as Someone who lived and died 2000 years ago – not as Someone who is alive today, who knows me, loves me, and wants me to know Him.
Then, when I was in my early twenties, right out of college, my new wife and I joined the U.S. Peace Corps and, for two years, we lived in a bamboo hut on a tropical island in Southeast Asia. We had gone there to help people have a better life, but I soon realized that I was the one who needed a better life. Without TV or radio, I began to read a lot – and before long, I decided that I would attempt (yet again) to read what is undoubtedly the most significant (and the most popular) piece of literature in all of history: the Bible.
Well, it wasn’t long before I realized that the Bible is very clear about the fact my sin was preventing me from having a relationship with a perfect, sinless, HOLY God. But, the Bible also taught me that God loved me enough to offer me forgiveness for my sin and the opportunity to have a personal relationship with Him. It finally dawned on me that I didn’t have to be good enough for God to love me; He already did. All He asked was that I place my FAITH – my trust, my confidence – in Jesus Christ and what He did for me when He died on the Cross and rose again.
I did – and now, I have the assurance that I am never alone. I have peace in my heart and a sense of purpose. Even though I still face many struggles, I face each day with joy and confidence. And I can lay my head down at night and rest in the assurance that my life is in God’s hand.
So, you can see why I am so glad to know that I will spend eternity in heaven.
[PRINTER FRIENDLY VERSION]
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