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Friday, April 13, 2012

Running a Marathon or Walking 30 Yards?

Recently I was speaking with William Bloodworth, the camp director at Camp Anderson; William said something that has stuck with me. We were discussing that there are many good kids that come to camp and yet they have never been truly born-again. William said, “it takes 500 miles of steps to get a man lost, but then it is only a few steps for them to get saved.” Meaning, the greatest difficulty we have is to convince people that they are lost but if they finally get there (lost) it only takes a little to see them saved. Jesus said, only sick people need a physician. Until a person knows that he is sick, he does not seek medical help. Until we know our soul is sick we do not seek a Savior.

I want to share a recent testimony of one of our members, Laura Harms, that speaks to this point. Laura recently ran a marathon, which you can only imagine, is a tremendous feat but also a great strain on the body both physically and mentally. Laura is also a church member who recently came to saving faith in Christ. When a church member realizes they are lost and need to be saved, for many that is a difficult thing to admit that they need to do.

My closing illustration in my Easter message was comparing those who fly stand by vs. those who have a confirmed ticket. One is confident that they have a seat on the plane the other is nervous not knowing for sure they have a seat. When a person is uncertain of their salvation they are always nervous because they do not know for sure they have a seat and headed to Heaven. Laura shared with me a beautiful insight and testimony on this and I felt led to share it with you all, with her permission in hopes that it will help others. I love Laura and her husband Daniel, and trust that her words will be a blessing to you.

Happy Easter Pastor Mack,

I just felt compelled to communicate a few of my thoughts after this morning's sermon:

During lunch today I spoke to my family about the comparison of running a marathon and walking 30 yards to the front of the church.  After a grueling description of my marathon experience, I explained that taking the step into the aisle on February 5th and walking the 30 or so yards to the front was the harder of the journeys.  I think I believed that running a marathon would give me more self worth or an overwhelming sense of accomplishment, but as I told my family the reward I felt during the invitation this morning was without a doubt a 1000 times greater than the way I felt when I crossed the finish line during my marathon.

I've come to realize how much joy I continue to feel after being saved.  It's like you said during the sermon, that feeling just doesn't stop.  God spoke to me for many months about turning my life over to him.  I heard it loud and clear, but continued to make excuse after excuse.  I can't describe the feeling I have now knowing that I have a seat on the plane instead of flying stand by.  I know that only a few short months ago, I was the one flying stand by.

I am so grateful to you and April.  You are truly a great blessing to my life and I hope you had a wonderful Easter.


Laura Harms