1 Peter 3:15 says:
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.”
So what is the reason for the hope that is in me? With meekness and fear? I'll tell you all about it.
I grew up knowing about Jesus Christ. I had heard the Bible stories, sang the hymns, and even stood in front of the congregation to sing at a young age from time to time. Yes, I knew about Jesus—but I didn’t know Jesus, and there’s a big difference.
As I got older, I found myself chasing after worldly desires. I had dreams of stardom as a country music singer, which led me into some of the roughest bars around. On stage in the darkness amidst the odor of cigarette smoke and beer, I was living a life that I thought was leading me to where I wanted to be. I was seeking fulfillment in the things of this life, not the life to come. Instead of storing up treasure in heaven, like Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, I was trying to build it up here on earth. I was walking in darkness, pleasing the flesh, blinded by sin, and deceived by the enemy, the devil himself.
That path led to heartache, sickness, and nearly death. I reached my lowest point—physically, emotionally, and spiritually. My legs were so weak I couldn’t stand or walk on my own. I had no appetite and was barely eating anything. I lost down to 138 pounds, where I regularly weigh between 175 and 180 pounds. I even began thinking about where I wanted to be buried, planning it in my mind. I was ready to die and be buried close to my father.
I ended up in the hospital for 29 days. I needed help just to get out of bed and go to the bathroom. I was exhausted in every way.
Then, one day, lying in that hospital bed—hooked up to an IV and just breathing one breath at a time—Brother Jackie Swanson walked in. We talked for a while. He prayed with me. And then he asked, “LeBron, are you saved?”
Through tears of sadness, the only words I could manage were, “I don’t know.”
Looking back, I understand now why I said that. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe in God—I just didn’t feel worthy of His salvation. After the life I had lived, how could someone like me be saved?
But friends, God wasn’t done with me yet.
While in that hospital bed, I downloaded a Bible app on my phone. The first chapter I read was Psalm 91, and by the time I was finished, the tears were streaming down my face, but this time, they were tears of joy. I knew at that point I had been saved. One of my best friends brought me a notebook and some pencils. Another sweet friend brought me a daily devotional. And for the first time in my life, I began to truly seek God. I started reading His Word, taking notes, and listening for His voice—and He spoke. God was now guiding me, a wretched sinner who was saved by the blood of Jesus. Not long after that night when Jackie came to visit, I was up and out of that hospital bed walking, straightening up my room, sitting in a chair, not depending on anyone to help me but my dear Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Along with my friends that helped me grow toward Jesus while I was in the hospital, I now meet every week for Bible study along with my mother, June, and countless other loved ones. We can feel God's presence ar every meeting, and we pray it will grow. That small group is one of the greatest blessings of my life, but let's get back to when I was in the hospital.
God was working on me. Sometimes, I was so caught up in His Word that I forgot I was even in the hospital. Scripture after scripture reminded me of His promises—promises that even I could be forgiven, redeemed, and born again.
And as my spirit grew stronger, so did my body. My appetite returned, and I began walking again—on my own! After 29 days, I walked out of that hospital a changed man both physically and spiritually.
The very next Sunday, I walked into the church doors at Midway Baptist —no walker, no wheelchair, no cane—just me and the strength the Lord had given me. God healed me. And He gave me a purpose. Before I got saved, I thought I had a purpose in life, but I didn't. I had been trying to please myself. Nothing else mattered, but praise God, I have a purpose now - to serve my heavenly Father with every ounce of myself.
Today, I no longer walk the path of destruction that almost killed me. I walk the narrow road that leads to eternal life. And I walk it with joy, because I walk it with Jesus beside me.
To God be the glory, He saved me!
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