My Defining Moment

This ticket was given to me by a great friend Shannon Head. Shannon and I met on the bus in kindergarten about 24 years ago. She is so much more than just a friend to me.

Let me turn back time about 5 years to start this story. Eddie and I were planned to be married about 2 months from the date of this ticket. We had been dating for nearly 5 years. The only time I can remember us going to church up to this point was his grandmothers funeral. We talked about God and Jesus and church and even prayed on occasion. We were both Christians and knew if we died we would go to heaven. Shannon often invited us to church, but there was no time for that. We were busy like everyone else and used Sunday to relax. Besides, you don't have to go to church to go to heaven.

Now, let me turn back time about 12 more years. At this point in my life in 1992 I was 12. My family and I had attended Boyd Baptist Church for as long as I could remember. Church was just a way of life for us. We attended lots of functions and I really enjoyed going. One morning Pastor Chris Cowen was preaching and when it came time for the invitation I realised I was a sinner and needed Jesus in my life. Occasionally someone will ask you to explain what your life was like before you accepted Jesus. I was a typical 12 year old, so things didn't really change much except for in my thinking. I remember spiritual things started to make more sense.

OK, fast forward 12 years to a week before the event advertised on the ticket. Shannon told us there was going to be a big event at the high school football stadium in Bonham. She said they would be serving free food. Wait a minute, if you know Eddie and I very well at all you know if there is going to be FREE food we will be there. Now, to top it off this was going to be free steak! We could fit time in our schedule for a night of food and entertainment with our friend. She said she would meet us there with the tickets. We got there and had our free meal. Free food always tastes better. Then we found seats in the stands. There was a very engaging worship service. I have a passion for music and God often speaks to me through it. I don't remember exactly how I felt at this point, but I'm sure he was already working on my heart by this time. Ronnie Hill was the speaker that night. I can't even tell you now what he talked about, but I remember the awful heavy burden on me. I knew I was not living right despite trying very hard to convince myself I was. I kept thinking about what I would do when it was time for the invitation. I kept hoping it would not come. I was a christian, I was saved, why did I feel this way? Ronnie started to pray, he said if anyone needed prayer to raise their hand. By this time God had completely broken me down. I couldn't stop crying, but I didn't know why I was crying in the first place. After he had prayed he said if you had raised your hand to make your way to the tents beside to stands and someone would pray with you. I reluctantly took Eddie by the hand and asked him to come with me. When we got down there we met some amazing missionaries Bill and Kim Little who prayed with us and encouraged us. They helped us get on the path that lead us to where we are today. Now, I need to point out that no one had to be there that night. They could have been doing their normal church stuff somewhere else. They didn't have to spend their time cooking steak for however many people where there. They had spent the days leading up to this knocking on doors all over Fannin County spreading the word of Jesus. They were so faithful to do what God was leading them to do that I had a life changing defining moment. There is no telling how many other people were touched that week. I can't express enough gratitude to all the people involved that night. And especially to Shannon for inviting me. This brings us to the inspiration of this blog and what brought me to realize this was my defining moment. I was listening to music on my MP3 player a few days ago when the song Defining Moment by NewSong came on. I speaks of the moment of salvation, but I think for me it speaks of this moment in my life. You see, you can be saved, truly believe in Jesus, go to church and still miss the point. It was on this day I realised I was missing the point. This link will allow you to listen to the song. Defining Moment Defining Moment - Newsong Lyrics There comes a time in every heart a time of real decision When we reach the point of choosing how we will live our lives All our hopes, all our dreams will rise up from that moment The moment we surrender and choose to follow Christ He's been waiting all our lives to hear us say I am yours, Lord, take my hand and lead the way Chorus: When you believe he's all you need That will be your defining moment As you live your life walking in his Light trusting him completely That will be, that will be your defining moment All I have, all I am is resting in his promise The promise that he'll make me everything that I should be I will live, I will die, for the cause he's set before me To take this love inside my heart for all the world to see All of heaven celebrates when they hear someone say I am yours, Lord, take my hand and lead the way Repeat Chorus Bridge:His amazing grace is such a mystery, How in an instant it can make your life complete Chorus(x2)