A most important decision

I have been thinking back on Nikki’s memorial service a lot this week. I have had so many people comment on just how beautiful it was, how powerful, inspiring, life changing. More than 30 hands were raised on that day, indicating their decision to surrender their lives to Jesus. And I know that many more lives have been challenged and changed over these past 2 weeks as we have reflected on Nikki’s – focusing especially on the most important aspect of her life – the One who carried her through her storm and in Whose glory she now stands. She said it many times – she would do it all again, and she would even die to know that those she loves and cares for so deeply would come to know the love of her life, Jesus.

Again, I felt I wanted to include an excerpt from one of Nikki’s posts on this blog not so long ago, to illustrate this more clearly, in her words:

“For so much of my life I have carried around this massive frustration ... that I care for So many, so deeply - there are SO many people in my life, so many friends and family that I love SO much and am desperate to Share MY GOD with them - but it is because I love them so much that, ironically, it is often difficult to talk about the most important things with them, as I don't want them to think that I'm judging them (or think they need to change - because they are so lovely just as they are - and i am not judging them) I am just desperate to share THE most AMAZING part of my life with them.

...In a way it's kind of like trying to convince someone how awesome it would be for them to have children, or someone to love in their life. Until they are open to it, or it becomes real to them, they don't really understand what you mean. Then - maybe one day, they experience it for themself, and realise the richness of that new love! - well.. it's almost like that, only in the biggest form of love possible :)

One good thing that has come of all I have gone through lately, is that I find people are keen to Listen if I have something to say, so i'm taking this opportunity, if you will... to talk... unlike all those years where time has gone by and i've not explained what's really been on my heart... on this the day marking the end of easter, I'm going to share something that's (always) burning in my heart...

I'm not sure where you stand, what you may have been through, or what your experience is of Christ - or what your understanding is of what He did for us that day on the cross.

Some of you might have been hurt by people, maybe by church.. or difficult circumstances, but I know that it would not have been God who hurt you…

...Yesterday morning, just before the Easter Service at our Church, I was getting ready to go, and thinking (as I so often do at that late moment) about who I would have liked to invite to the Easter service with us.. then I thought.. I wonder if my friends realise that (while it is a privilege to have them join us and I absolutely Love it if any of them come to our church) ... that it's not the most important thing (to me) if they come to church or not - but what is important (to me) is that they know and understand God in a new way. So my prayer and HOPE is: for those who don't know Jesus, and have never had him as part of your life, that you would come to find Him and recognise the Power He has in your life through what He accomplished on the cross for you - that your life will become so rich once you find Him. For those who knew Him once, but have moved away from Him - that you would come back to Him, and know Him in a new, very real way. And for those who know Him already, that you will learn so much more about Him, that you will be changed forever.. and so ultimately, we would all know Him, and walk in the plans He has for each and every one of our lives - then my life would be as FULL as it could be, Indeed!

With Love,
Nikki”

I feel strongly at this stage that I should follow up on those who made that all-important decision that day of the memorial, the most significant of their life - to follow Jesus. Perhaps some are still considering it and are not sure what to do or where to go from here. I don’t want to just leave it. Well, please let me explain as simply as I can…

Firstly, it is important to recognise that we are all sinners / sinful by nature. Romans 3:23 says that “All have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory”. The penalty for this sin is death. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death”. The good news is that Jesus paid this debt for us by dying on the cross even though He was absolutely innocent Himself. John 3:16 says “But God so loved the world that He gave us His only Son and whoever believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life”. This is a gift. It is available to all of us. All we have to do is accept it. This involves very little from our side. All it requires is a little faith as we confess that we are sinful people and make a decision to turn around and live differently from this point onwards, to live for God from now onwards instead of living for ourselves (selfishly). Then, to believe that your sins have been forgiven and paid for in full, to choose to believe that what the bible says is true. And, finally, to receive Jesus into your life and begin walking in the fullness of life in Christ Jesus! 2 Corinthians 5:17 says “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation, old things have passed away, behold all things become new”. It’s that easy!!! Then begin to read the bible and get the truth firmly set into your heart, find other people who believe what you do and spend time with them, learning more and growing in God. Get involved in a family of believers – this is one of the biggest blessings of my life and will add so much to yours too!

If anyone would like to contact me personally to discuss any of these points or to learn about how to take this further, please email me at: eve@maxitec.co.za I would love the opportunity to hear your story, to walk alongside you, to encourage you and to pray for you.