While I was still far from God, I got a divorce. I had read some of the Bible and knew it said God hated divorce. This began to worry me that this one action would separate me from God. It weighed heavy on my soul. And just at the right time, God used a friend of mine who sent me a sermon on divorce to teach me. The pastor talked about how my choice had separated me from God, and I had broken a covenant. I felt even more hopeless…..until this man began to unfold the most beautiful Gospel story of Jesus and how He died for my sins. At that moment, I met Jesus for the first time, and He gently and kindly revealed to me it wasn’t just this one thing that separated me from Him but all the wrong thoughts and deeds of my sinful nature.
It’s funny to me now that I thought it was just that divorce that kept me out of a relationship with Him, but I am forever grateful it was the sin that turned me to Him. He said if I will confess with my tongue that I am a sinner — and boy I did — and believe that Jesus is Lord and was raised from the dead — and I do — then I will be saved. Hallelujah!
Then the pastor quoted Psalm 103:12. I immediately felt freedom, relief, love, and gratefulness all rolled up in one. How could He do such a thing for me? Because He loves you and me more than we can understand. Because He wants us to live life to the fullest and not in anguish, guilt, or shame.
I experienced the resurrection power of Jesus, and that’s when this churchgoer became a true follower of Jesus. I declare the praises of Him who called me out of darkness into His wonderful light!