Not long after I was saved about twelve and a half years ago, I hoped people would come to know that I was a man of God and not the worldly, selfish person I really was at one time. Well, it was much longer than that; seventy years was all about me. Before coming to the cross, I was pretty good at camouflaging who I really was, someone who feigned Christianity while chasing a worldly lifestyle. If you have read some of my previous testimonies, you know I pursued self-interest; first, career success and then my fun-time hobbies like golf, fishing, gardening, traveling, etc. Upon retirement, it was to be nothing but leisure and enjoying the good life, ticking off those bucket list desires. I was okay with giving God only an hour, two, or maybe three out of the week and sprinkling that with a few volunteer activities to show my compassion. However, volunteering was more for camaraderie and building a network that could enhance my selfish interests than my being considerate of others.
What a fake, or maybe it was ignorance! Either way, I clearly didn’t get it when Jesus said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength” (paraphrased Mark 12:30-31), that He meant it! Foolishly, I also didn’t realize when He said we are to “love our neighbors as ourselves (again paraphrased),” He meant that too! Also, it never registered with me that He meant, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15 NIV). Oh, I could have my shiny moments, but God knew that wasn’t me. The good news is He still wanted me just as I was, and I am so grateful that when He said He would send His Son to save sinners, He meant that, too. Praise God! Before getting saved, I was unable to understand His word. What I do get now is that He is true to His word when He says if you keep my commandments, “I will ask the Father, and He will give you another helper, even the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him” (John 14:16-17 ESV). So, for 70 years, I was ignorant; I didn’t know Him as I was a man of the world, and I could not hear Him. It all changed when I accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
For people to know that I am a man of God to bring Him glory, I committed to one of my favorite verses: “to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18 NIV). I have shared many testimonies about my maturing walk with Him and how He has and still is transforming me. At the start of my walk, I wanted a calling card to signify the new me. I designed my card as shown here, except I removed my contact information for this article. I selected one of my photos from Tangier Island in the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia, as my cover because I wanted to convey that I belong to Jesus. I chose the scripture on the back to communicate that my Salvation comes from God’s extravagant love, from which I wake up daily with His innumerable blessings.
What an amazing verse this is! There is a beautiful hymn I love to sing called Blessed Assurance. This verse captures the essence of that song. Every morning, in this life and the next, I will wake up, and He will be right there for me with His love, mercy, and grace, reassuring me of His love. No wonder the Psalmist praises God in this verse: “Blessed be the Lord.” I now try to start each day by saying, “Blessed be the Lord,” and thanking Him for all the blessings I will encounter that day. It is a great way to lead into prayer, which can be said anytime during the day.
The Missing Selah
You might notice I left the word Selah off my card. I was starting my walk with Jesus back then, and I didn’t know what Selah meant. I guess I didn’t think it added anything. How wrong I was! I’ve learned that Selah is a Hebrew word meaning pause for reflection. As I pause for reflection here, there is another song that Psalm 68:19 reminds me of: “Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Selah.” No, Selah isn’t in that song; I just added it to illustrate the need to reflect or contemplate more about what we read or sing occasionally. When we pause to reflect on God’s word, it allows us to distill or assimilate His truth within us so it can nourish, enrich, or inspire us as we walk our individual paths. I need to add Selah here again so we can take a moment to think of our need to allow His word to take root within us more often.
As I look back on my walk with Jesus, I realize that whatever I have done or achieved to bring glory to God is not my doing but is only a result of Him working through me. Only His indispensable sustaining grace makes the difference in my ability to carry out His will and be a useful witness for Christ. I am so blessed that His grace continually nourishes me and keeps me focused on serving and pleasing Him. How did that happen? It soon became apparent that I must desire to walk with Jesus daily rather than doing my own thing. It had to be a lifestyle change. The good news is that Jesus keeps His promises. He meant it when He said He would send the Holy Spirit to help us transform. He also meant it when He said He would be an intercessor with His Father for us.
God was and always is willing to do His part. Now, it was time for me to do mine. It’s not always easy; the days are just as evil today as they were during the Apostle Paul’s time. The devil, who wouldn’t have it any other way, is always there trying to throw a roadblock in one’s path. I believe that is why Jesus taught us to pray so as not to be led into temptation. Who knows the devil and his destructive power better than Jesus? He knows that Satan is always trying to find that chink in a believer’s armor so he can chip away and turn us into backsliders living for ourselves. One of the keys for me that I found out early in my walk was that I had to pay attention every day. Paul warns us, “Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15 CSB). He continues, “…do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is” (5:16). Therein lies everyone’s challenge: For you and me, do we try to walk with Jesus to understand and do the Father’s will or do we foolishly go our own way?
“You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (NIV)
I chose to walk with Jesus because I wanted to grow spiritually and try to understand and pursue His will for me. I also wanted to become an authentic witness for Christ, meaning I live and walk the talk, i.e., I follow God’s Truth, not my own or someone else’s version of it. I trusted that if I sought Him with all my heart, I would find Him. That is the path I chose, and it still is. Years later, I still seek to validate His will to stay on point. As we age and circumstances change around us, we need to revisit them through prayer, meditation, and even conversations with Christian friends. Hence, we make sure we are appropriately focused on how best to serve God. I believe that is our continuing spiritual challenge, understanding God’s purpose for our lives. We all must remind ourselves that if we are not trying to do His will, we are going our way. For seventy years, I focused on achieving career success, trying to play every golf course, hoping to fish every stream and lake possible, amassing as much wealth as possible so we could live comfortably, etc. In some way, all those can be healthy, especially when balanced with an active, spiritual life, which wasn’t me. Sadly, however, those selfish interests were the primary passions in my life, and ‘God’s will’ was not. It’s a simple question to ask ourselves: Whom am I serving, me or God? How would God answer that question?
Before getting saved, I imagine most of us had those self-serving, non-Jesus obsessions. Before going to Damascus, Saul’s (who became the Apostle Paul) sole mission in life was to eliminate as many of Jesus’ followers as he could. After meeting Jesus on that life-changing road, he relentlessly pursued God’s will for the rest of his life after his conversion, much to the amazement of Jesus’ followers, who scattered to hide from his vengeance. While most Christian conversions are not as Damascus-dramatic as Paul’s, our transformations should be just as life-changing in terms of whom we serve and clearly visible to those who know us. I remember one day, someone was talking about my dear friend and mentor, the late Russ Bush, and his love for Jesus. Someone else had known Russ in the past but hadn’t seen him in quite some time. Hearing the conversation, he remarked, “Are you talking about the Russ Bush I know? It can’t be?” We said it was and that no one worked harder for Jesus than Russ.” I think, shaking his head; Russ’ old acquaintance mumbled in amazement something like, “I’ll be!”
One of the things that were difficult for me early in my walk was there was so much I didn’t understand. It made me feel uncomfortable and took me out of my comfort zone. Professing my faith by witnessing in public or raising my hand in worship was quite a challenge. I remember one time I was driving through Tyler County and passed an old restaurant that I thought might make for some interesting photographs. I returned, went inside, and asked the owner, an elderly lady, if I could take some pictures. While she said okay, she also emphasized “not of her.” She was very friendly and talkative, though. We were having a nice chat as I was shooting away, and then she inquisitively remarked, “Are you a pastor?” I’ve often wondered what made her say that. I think I paused and said, “No, I’m just a friend of Jesus.” There was a notable uncomfortable silence before she almost whispered, “I hope I am too.” I wasn’t prepared for her soul-searching response, and I’ve always felt I fumbled my way through whatever I replied. Driving along after that, I felt bad that I had missed an opportunity to witness and had let God down. She gave me an opening, and I didn’t take it. A few days later, I had some photos printed and mailed them to her with a note of thanks. A few weeks later, I received an envelope from Middlebourne, WV. I wondered, ‘Who did I know in Middlebourne?’ as I opened it. Inside was a beautiful thank you note that said she was glad I had stopped by and that she enjoyed our conversation so much. She also wrote that of all the people who had stopped over the fifty-plus years to take pictures, I was the only person who had ever sent her any. Maybe that was my witness of being a friend of Jesus. She hoped I would stop again. The next time I drove by a year or so later, it was closed, and I eventually learned she had passed away. Even though I thought I had failed to witness very well, I like to believe that God ensured she was blessed by our encounter. I know I was. I also know I’ll never forget her looking directly at me and saying, “Are you a pastor?” Since that time, I have been much less reluctant to witness. I have learned that God provides the words or gestures you need at the time, and He will allow you to reflect so you can grow from such encounters. I now cherish those divine appointments. The next time you feel a little out of your comfort zone, don’t let it dissuade you. Step right up and let the Holy Spirit guide you. You both will be blessed for it.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16:17 (NKJV)
One final thought and the MOST important part of my walk with Jesus is that I try to base my life on Scripture with all my being. Earlier, I quoted Paul when he said to watch how you walk and be wise, not foolish (I paraphrased it here). To be wise is to be obedient to God’s words. The Bible emphasizes the importance of Scripture in so many places, for example: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path” (Psalm 119:105 NIV), and “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me” (John 14:24 NKJV). While many other powerful verses speak to the power of God’s word, Paul’s exhortation to Timothy really hits home for me when he wrote, ‘Scripture is inspired by God.’ Other versions, e.g., NIV, use God-Breathed, which means it is God’s word, His truth, thereby making it sound doctrine worthy of teaching. How best to follow Him than by paying attention to His word.
I love to read the Bible, and I do so every day. To add to my learning, I use Bible-based devotionals. Currently, I have four that I read. As I have mentioned before, I am also blessed to belong to an inspiring weekly Bible study that we call Fellowship Friday. I cannot overemphasize the importance of Bible study with fellow believers. For almost fourteen years, my brothers and I have explored Scripture and what it means for our lives. We usually use a book to guide us. Right now, we are studying 52 Hebrew Words Every Christian Should Know. And just as importantly, I attend two church services on Sunday, where I listen to Bible-based sermons each week. I have learned that you cannot overvalue the importance of Scripture in helping you to get a clear understanding of God’s will. Why? I can’t say it any better than Paul did in his letter to Timothy, so “that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17 NKJV). The bottom line is that each Christian must be “thoroughly equipped” with God’s word to do His work. That is what I strive for in my walk.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NIV)
As I close this testimony, I can’t help thinking of how I used to view reading the Bible almost as a chore; it was more like reading a book and often out of obligation. Other than a little faded from dust and time, my original couple of Bibles still look remarkably untouched, unlike my current Life Application Bible, which is wrinkled and note-filled throughout with inspired gleanings. Also, my mind wandered for most of my life when the Epistles and Gospels were read in church. Those readings very rarely made an impact. Yes, I have read the Bible a few times before being saved and even found some interesting. But I never really grasped it was ‘active and alive’ as described in Hebrews, nor did I have any inkling that God was speaking to me. Thankfully, I now appreciate the richness of what God has to say to me. Hopefully, I have explained in this article, I now find it indispensable in my walk with Jesus. Selah!
If you are not saved and desire to begin a walk with Jesus, all you need to do is ask Him to forgive you of your sins and believe in Him to have everlasting life. Do that with haste and then find a Christian friend or a pastor to ask for their help so you can begin your personal walk with Him. If you do that with a willing heart, you will begin the most amazing journey you can ever imagine. Jesus always means what He says and always keeps His promises. Rest assured, He will send His Holy Spirit to help you to become a child of God and His friend, just as He did for me. I pray that blessing for you.
Until next time, Godspeed, Al
Feature Images: © Al Tucker; Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.; The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.; Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
