This week’s post is a bit personal, so if you are uncomfortable with blatant displays of emotion, then you may want to quit reading right now. If however, you are willing to brave a walk down memory lane with me, then buckle your seatbelt, we’re in for a crazy fun ride.
Today, April 9th marks Jon’s 70th Birthday. To say that I am blessed to have shared a remarkable journey for the past 39 years with this man is an understatement. He has been walking with the Lord for 41 years and has never wavered in his belief that “God can do whatever He wants, whenever He wants, with whomever He wants.” His love for God is deep and strong.
Raised in a middle-class home, neither of Jon’s parents were of the “religious” nature. While his parents were both good moral people, they never felt the need for church to be a regular part of their lives. Being the youngest child, Jon learned early to push the limits of his parent’s patience and love. One might even go as far to say he was a non-compliant child.
During his early teen years, Jon’s mom was deep into a battle with alcoholism and his dad was an addict of a different sort. His addiction was work. It was during this time, that Jon was introduced to drugs. It started harmless enough; just a little now and then. However, as with all addictions, a little became more and the now and then turned into a constant need. By the time Jon was in college, his addiction was full-blown, and he was using a variety of drugs from marijuana to pharmaceutical morphine. He quickly realized that he wasn’t giving his studies the attention that they needed, so he dropped out of college to pursue full-time drug abuse.
Life for Jon had become a string of failed relationships, financial setbacks, and a stint in jail. Feeling very dissatisfied, Jon began searching for something different, hopefully, better. He explored some of the Eastern religions and even stopped by a couple of the churches on the ASU campus only to be told that they couldn’t give him the answers he was looking for. After encountering one dead end after another, he took a step back and continued down the path he was on; more drugs, more partying, more of everything in an effort to feel something.
Then one day, an old friend called. After catching up, Jon invited the friend over. His friend declined saying, he had church that night. Jon, recovering from another broken relationship, thought to himself, “I bet there are nice girls at church” (ones who don’t cheat and lie to you), asked his friend if he could go to church with him. Of course, the friend said yes and that was the day that Jon’s life changed.
Jon entered the church, strung out, addicted, and lost. While I would love to say that he left the church free, that isn’t what happened. Instead, Jon was confronted with a concept that required a decision on his part.
Teaching from Exodus, Chapters 3 & 4, Jon listed as the pastor told of God’s invitation to Moses and Moses’ subsequent excuses of why he couldn’t do the job that God as asking of him. The pastor then asked a very loaded question.
“If God were to tap you on the shoulder and say follow me, would you make excuses or
would you accept the invitation?"
As He had with Moses, God had been pursuing Jon. Moses tried to hide out in the wilderness herding sheep. Jon was trying to escape with his life choices. Ten years earlier, Jon had actually said the sinner’s prayer, but once it was done, he went on with his life, business as usual. He never gave it another thought. But God did and He began orchestrating things in Jon’s life; showing him that he would never find true life in dead places and activities.
Fast forward to 1979, Jon is sitting in a church in Mesa, Arizona on a Sunday night. He took a hard look at his life and asked himself that same question. “If God were to tap me on the shoulder, would I make excuses?” In a moment of honesty, he had to ask himself, “What would he really be giving up?” He took the leap, accepted the invitation, and prayed the “sinner’s prayer”. Jon left the church that night unchanged, but something the pastor had said was nagging at his spirit. “You’ve got to commit your life to Him”. His mind was really struggling with that idea. How do you commit your life to something you don’t even know is real?
After arriving at home that night, Jon made what he calls “a deal” with God. He prayed, “God if you show me you’re real, I’ll live the rest of my life for you.” And, the most amazing thing is, God said “Deal!”
In that one moment, Jon became a new creation. The old had gone. His drug habit was a thing of the past. He knew without a doubt that his sins had been forgiven. God had done his part, now it was his turn.
To say that Jon became radically saved may be an overstatement, but he jumped into his new life in Christ with both feet. Within three months, he was in Bible College where in fact they did have nice girls. (We met a few years later at that same school.)
Jon’s story is one of redemption and deliverance. God took a life that was spiraling on a downward trajectory and placed it on a new path with a new purpose.
"If you could see where Jesus brought me from to where I am today, then you would know the reason why I love Him so…."
(lyrics from It’s My Desire”)
While Jon’s story is remarkable, each of you has one also. These stories are meant to be shared not stored away in our memories; only making an appearance when we take a walk down memory lane. Dig them out, dust them off and share the amazing love of God with those who need to hear it.
With that thought, today, on Jon’s 70 birthday, I"m sharing his story with each of you. Feel free to share it with someone who needs to know that God is for them and not against them.
We all have people in our lives who are searching. We have friends and loved ones who need to hear one more time that God loves them. Share Jon's story or even yours with someone who needs to hear that there is nothing that they have done that would disqualify them for God’s unending grace and His amazing love.
If I told you my story, You would hear hope, that wouldn't let go And if I told you my story, You would hear Love that never gave up
And if I told you my story, You would hear life, but it wasn't mine
If I should speak, then let it be of the grace That is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served, and where mercy wins! Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me in Oh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him
If I told you my story, you would hear victory over the enemy And if I told you my story, you would hear freedom That was won for me
And if I told you my story, you would hear life Overcome the grave
If I should speak, then let it be of the grace That is greater than all my sin
Of when justice was served, and where mercy wins! Of the kindness of Jesus, that draws me in Oh to tell you my story, is to tell of Him
Lyrics from "My Story" by Big Daddy Weave
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