Your ‘Come to Jesus’ moment

July 2, 1505, was a stormy day. Martin Luther was on his horse during a thunderstorm. As he sought shelter under a large tree, the tree was struck by lightning. The fact that he survived led him to go from being a lawyer to being a monk. He felt that God had saved him for something, and that was his “Come to Jesus” moment.

John Wesley was having doubts about his faith and calling. He was already an Anglican minister, but he felt a failure and was not sure of his own salvation. On May 24, 1738, he went to a Bible study on Aldersgate Street. There he was listening to a reading from a commentary on Romans by none other than Martin Luther. It was then he felt a curious warming of the heart, and knew he was saved. This was his “Come to Jesus” moment.

Saul of Tarsus was headed to Damascus when he is struck by a great light. Jesus talks with him and Saul is led, blind, to Damascus where he is healed. He then becomes an apostle of Christ. That was his “Come to Jesus” moment.

There are thousands, if not millions, of “Come to Jesus” stories. My own journey to the pulpit did not include lightning or light, but a sense of calm and peace. I share this with you to let you know that a contact with Christ is as unique as our fingerprints. No two callings are ever alike.

In John Chapter 21, Peter is talking with Jesus. He sees John and asks, “What about this man?” Jesus responds, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me.”

Jesus calls us as individuals, not as groups. Each of us will have a unique response to His salvation. Not everyone will experience the ecstatic high or the emotional outlet. Some will just feel a gentle assurance.

I tell you this as a warning. Be careful not to compare your life in Christ with others. Jesus simply calls us to follow Him, not to worry about what others are doing. Christ knows what each of us can do, so he calls us to do it.

Notice he doesn’t call us to follow another pastor or another believer. He doesn’t say, “I want you to be like your preacher.” He says instead, “Follow me.”

Now, we have many wonderful examples of pastors and teachers that we can emulate in part, but ultimately our calling is not from our church or our ministers, it is from God. We may learn how to follow God from others, but we are not to be a repeat of another follower. Each of us has different talents, and God calls us to use them for His kingdom.

Your “Come to Jesus” moment is meant to be unique. Christianity is not a one size fits all, but a unique experience in faith to those that believe. Don’t worry about the other person, you follow Christ.

Just a thought.

Shalom my friends. See you in church.

Rev. Kent Wilfong is the pastor at the United Methodist Church, Doniphan/Neelyville.