Robert Harrell
Dur
ing my teenage years and on into my twenties I was cool and calm on the outside but not on the inside. I was looking for peace, for a real friend and a direction in life. I was afraid of any new situation. After high school I went to college because it was an easy decision and it seemed like the right thing to do. After college I was drafted by the army. Again that was easy because it was something to do and there was no decision to be make.
While in the army I encountered a group of real Christians who impressed my with how they lived, particularly their speech. They were encouraging, positive and above all else no profanity. They seemed to have what I was missing deep inside. They were really different than the people I was working and living with on base. They took their Christianity seriously. They challenged me to make a real commitment to Christ.
That brought to my mind things from my childhood. I was taken to Sunday school as a child by my parents. At Sunday school I memorized Bible verses and heard many stories from the Bible. At that church children could become members at age 13. You would attend a membership class and at the completion you were baptized and then you wold become a member. During the class the Pastor had a time when he shared the Gospel. He told me I was disobedient, and I had broken God’s laws. Next, because of my disobedience to God I would be punished. That punishment is death and being forever separated from God in hell. However, Jesus took the punishment for me when He died on the cross. I needed to trust in Jesus and believe He did die for me, and that because He had risen from the grave He would give me eternal life. At age 13 I trusted Jesus for my salvation.
My Christian friends, I was developing when in the army, helped me be confident in Jesus. They showed me that since I had Jesus in my life I did have eternal life. Next God began to give me inner peace. I was shown a verse in the Bible, Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not for I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you, I will help you; I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.” That was a special message for me from God, that He is with me and will help me. The inner peace I desired began to come. But the greatest thing was I was certain that I had a personal relationship with God in Jesus Christ and I had eternal life.
