There Must Be Something More

48 | God Is Personal

My palms were sweating as I trotted up to Meredith's side. I felt everyone's eyes on all three of us. Especially Calum and Amanda. Their eyes were trained on me even as I tried to avoid it, but I could see them through my peripherals. 

Just when Meredith had come up front, the noisiest club in all of the high school had gone quiet. I didn't think I could take the pressure. I was about to crack, but Meredith turned to me and gave that same smile she had when I doubted this was all going to work--that smile from God.

I closed my eyes, smiling. And even as I looked onto the crowd, I said a silent prayer: God, I know it's You who's put me in this situation. Please help me and Meredith and Samuel say the right words to these people. It's Your job to touch their hearts and I trust You. In Jesus's name. Amen.

I had to admit that even as I had prayed, I was still anxious and nervous. I felt chills in my stomach and chest. 

Meredith carried on, "I suppose you're all wondering why it's called the Grace Club. While we're all having fun in the games and food, there's something out there that's much more... fulfilling than this. Something that's been chasing us thousands of years ago. Something that won't give up till it catches your attention. Something..."

At that moment I wasn't sure then if it had been the light coming from the afternoon sun or tears that glistened her eyes, but looking back on it now, I knew it was tears. 

"Something that will change your life," Meredith finished her sentence. She took a deep breath, obviously trying her best not to break down. She was rubbing her thumb on the back of her hand and I could tell that she was nervous. 

That caught me off-guard. No matter how long she had been with God, she still had her moments. And I realized that being a Christian doesn't make you perfect, it just means you're forgiven, saved. God is the one who's perfect. 

The whole room was silent. It was as if every person who came had become mute. Just like I had been the first time hearing about God, they were speechless.

"The person you see today wasn't the same person three years ago," Meredith began. "When I was thirteen, I lived a double life. I guess you could say I did the best of both worlds."

Some chuckled at that. Some muttered among themselves.

"Growing up in a Christian home, I was taught about God and that He sent His only Son Jesus to die for our sins. I was taught that He is the God of love and anyone who doesn't love doesn't know God. And I do believe it. And I lived it. As a kid, I couldn't stop telling people about God's love for me. I would take every opportunity I get to let them know how much Jesus loves them. And it's true. I know it was.

"But that all changed when I went to my teenage years. Some may say that the teenage years are where you meet real life. And I couldn't say they were wrong. I did meet real life when I was thirteen. I was influenced by my friends to drink and smoke. I had never been in a relationship, but I did see my friends going into early relationships and not doing appropriate things. And I supported it. I was one of them. Can you believe it? I grew up in an environment that loved God, and I was straying away.

"That's because God isn't religion. He isn't a label and He isn't based on works and following a bunch of rules. Going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than going to a garage makes you a car. God is personal. And the salvation He offers is personal too. It's a gift.

"In Romans chapter six verse twenty-three, it says: For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. I will be explaining that verse to you in a moment, but I'd like to tell you of my own story. 

"And then one day, my friends had invited me to a secluded building. I came because I didn't know what they were on about. When I got there that's when they told me they were going to spray graffiti all over a certain private property to get revenge on the owner. But before they could do it, the cops came. I was about to stay and tell the authorities I wasn't one of them, but my friend Mike had insisted I was definitely going to get arrested. They were going to tell the cops I was one of them since we were in it together.

"I had no choice but to run away as well. And at that time, while I was going through my backpack for my phone, I felt something in my bag. I took it out and realized it was a flyer for an event in a church called Christian Life Chapel. Without anywhere else to go, I decided no cop would search a church for a criminal, so I went there."

And as Meredith continued on to her story, I watched the spectators. I saw some people who were teary-eyed. Some were wiping their eyes, some were holding it back, some had their heads lowered to hide it. I wanted to see Calum and Amanda, but they were way in the back, I couldn't tell what their expressions were. Although they were certainly listening.

When Meredith finished her story, she began with Romans chapter three verse twenty-three.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God," she said, "that verse says that each and one of us--no exceptions--have sinned and fell short of God's glory. No matter how good that person may seem, human as we are, we make mistakes. And the Bible says only one sin can separate you from God. So where does that leave us?" 

No one answered. But everyone's attention were definitely caught.

"That means we're all destined to hell. And God knew that. He knew our final destination was eternal death. And because He loves us so much, He didn't want that for us. So that's where John chapter three verse sixteen comes in: For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. He had to send someone to pay it for us, someone perfect enough to conquer death for us. And so He sent His one and only Son Jesus. He lived a perfect life and paid for every one of our sins--ones that we did and we will ever do.

"In Romans chapter six verse twenty-three, it says: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."

As I looked onto the crowd again, I had thought they would leave by now. But everyone still stayed to hear about God's love.