Who Led You to the Lord?
April 20, 2021
“Who led you to the Lord?” Crystal Smith
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” 2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV
As a little girl I remember going to church, mostly with my grandparents. After my parents divorced and we moved away, we infrequently attended. I believed God was a real thing and he had a son named Jesus but beyond that, I really didn’t understand much more. It was just a fact because I was told it was. I knew very little about the Bible or how I fit into any of it. As I grew (think teenager into early 20s), I mainly just wanted to be accepted, wanted, and received by whoever, however, sometimes at a cost (to me). I do remember going to youth group, but it was more about socializing than growing a relationship with Christ. I didn’t even know that was a thing?! As a teenager (16+) I made some bad choices and didn’t really think they were a big deal. Other people were doing it so why shouldn’t I? Looking back, it’s so crazy to see how God can truly “make a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17) out of you. It’s like looking into a story of someone I don’t even know because of how transformed I am today!
Silly but true, I used to pray / wish (I mean is prayer really something that works?) each time the clock read 11:11 that God would send me a tall, dark and handsome man that loved me as much as I loved him. My daddy wasn’t around much growing up, and I always yearned for a man to love me. (Daddy issues). Anyway, I had never loved any man before and most certainly had never been loved by a man. But Fall of 1999, God actually answered my prayer. I fell in love with a tall, dark drink of water that to my amazement actually loved me back. It was almost too hard to believe, and I nearly sabotaged that relationship early on because my self worth couldn’t actually believe I was deserving of this kind of man. I never believed I was pretty enough or good enough for someone to like(love) me for simply me. Somehow he chose me anyway, despite people telling him ugly things about me (some true and some not).
I eventually met his mom and her family (there is A LOT of them and they are wonderful) in Texas. I’d never been so warmly received or felt so accepted. I began to learn more about God and his son, Jesus. I learned that no matter where we came from or what we had done, he loved us. He forgave us of our sin. (“But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8 NIV). I saw them love like Jesus even when mistakes were made and people were wronged. I saw them live out forgiveness and grace. I stumbled some in the beginning of my “love story” with my “perfect” earthly man who has shown me unconditional love and forgiveness (of which he could only be able to do) through the grace and strength of Christ who lives in him. I most definitely stumbled a lot in the beginning of my love story with Christ (and still do) on learning who Christ is and who I AM in Him. Yet he remained faithful to me. (“The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 NIV) This is HUGE for me. God NEVER gave up on me!! (Insert sobs of thanksgiving). He allowed me to finally realize I AM WORTHY and I AM HIS. I just had to receive it because it’s his gift to me. (“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23 NIV).
Had it not been for meeting my tall, dark and handsome (now husband of almost 18 years), I am not sure I would know God like I do and his immeasurable love for me. It took me a long time to believe that 1. A man like TC could pick me when he could have picked anyone and 2. That God would find me worthy to deserve the love he has to offer and that I truly am forgiven, made new and perfect in his eyes and redeemed. He has used other people to lead me to Himself. I “saw Christ” in them by the way they treated me and others when it didn’t make sense. I saw real love. I will forever be grateful to TC and his family for leading me to the cross where I found my life again and was reborn.
2 Corinthians 5:17 2 Peter 3:9 Romans 6:23 Ephesians 2:8-9
Dear Heavenly Father, Thank you for your patience, love and mercy. Thank you for not giving up on me and so many others still trying to find their way. Thank you for the people you use to put in my path and the paths of others who need to see the goodness that flows through them because of you. Thank you for Jesus and his gift that is free to anyone who will receive it. I pray for lost ones and loved ones that need to feel your presence and know their worth. Bring people into their lives and use all of us to be your handiwork to bring others to know you. It’s In Jesus Name I Pray, Amen.