His Story, Your Story

Fifty-one years ago, in the spring of 1971, I gave my life to Jesus Christ.

The first person I wanted to tell was Bob Eckhart, the preacher who had handed me a gospel tract and shared Christ with me on a street corner in Chapel Hill, NC.

I had not seen Bob for almost a month. He had been going to the large demonstrations that were happening all over in protest to the Vietnam War. He was handing out tracts and telling people about Jesus, so he had not been in Chapel Hill for a few weeks.

But that first Saturday after I had come to Christ for good, I headed to Franklin Street looking for Bob on the corner by the post office where I had first met him. When I saw his van from a distance, I hurried over and found him handing out tracts as usual.

I excitedly pulled him aside and began to tell him about the events of the last month. Bob could not believe what he was hearing! He listened in stunned silence as I told him about the healing of my dog and my salvation prayer. (Listen to my testimony here) Finally, when I was finished talking, he let out a loud "Hallelujah" and said “Come here, you have to tell Amy this story!”

Bob ran and got his wife Amy, who had been praying in the van while Bob was out on the street corner talking to people. I told Amy what I had just shared with Bob, and she yelled “hallelujah” too! Then Amy and Bob began to hug each other and pray out loud in thanksgiving to God. They pulled me into their group hug and started to jump around!

At that moment, I began to wonder if I had done the right thing. All this emotion scared me. I worried I might have gotten myself connected to a bunch of crazy religious nuts!

But when everyone calmed down, I knew that it did not really matter what other people did. I knew for certain at that moment what Jesus had done for me on the cross and no one could take that away from me. No one.

Bob immediately took me under his wing and began to mentor me. That very day, he put a bunch of tracts in my hand and the two of us stood on Franklin Street witnessing for the Lord.

At first, I objected to doing this. I said, “Bob, I just gave my life to Jesus a few days ago. I don’t know anything about theology or the Bible. I am brand new to all of this. What in the world do I say to someone who questions or challenges me?”

Bob’s answer was simple and profound. He said, “Lon, just tell people what you told me. Tell them what Jesus has done for you. People’s hearts aren’t moved by theology. They’re moved by someone’s compelling story of what God has done in their life. God’s done a great work in your life; just tell them your story.”

Friends, Easter is a perfect time to tell people your story about what God has done for you. That He sent His only begotten son, Jesus, to die on a cross for your sins. That His story is the reason you have peace. Because of His death, burial and resurrection you have hope. That He is the way, the truth and life. And accepting Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior has made all the difference in your life.

God can and will use your story to draw people to Jesus. Step out in faith and share your testimony and trust God to do His part.

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear; 1 Peter 3:15