Close Encounters of the Best Kind

I’m a storyteller and the best story I tell is about the very up close and personal encounter I had with Jesus when I was just eight years old. I never get tired of sharing it. It’s a short story and to the point. I remember it like it was yesterday.

I was just eight years old when I attended Straight Arrow Camp on Lake Texhoma (still going on after 60 years). I learned to swim there because physical, mental, and spiritual development were key components of the camp’s mission. We were singing “Kumbaya” and “I have decided to follow Jesus” around the evening campfire. The camp director invited us to raise our hand if we wanted a personal relationship with Jesus. I did. I believed. A kind counselor came over and put her arms around me and explained what had just happened for me. I became a follower of Christ, and our love story will continue through all eternity. My “True North” came to be at Straight Arrow Camp.

What changed for me? Everything. I was also eight years old when my daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Though the surgery kept him alive for seven more years, he was incapacitated and became more like a sibling than a daddy to me. But how sweet it was that I had Jesus as my best friend to talk to, trust, and hold onto during those times. My encounter with Him, gave me hope, courage and peace.

I joined the throngs of believers since Jesus came to earth from heaven. It would be wonderful if we had heard the choirs of angels singing in unison: “You have arrived! You are God’s kids now, so no more problems. Now that you know THE TRUTH – no more mistakes. God has your backs, so no longer will people annoy you. It will be easy, peasy Christianity!”

And the well-seasoned soldiers of faith say: “Oh my dear, you have such a great imagination!” It is much more like being on an elite training team, like learning to be a Navy Seal (not that I really know what that is like – except for the movies where they nearly die from the training). There are grueling tests and drills.

There is an archenemy who wants, more than anything, to cause us to cave under the mere weight of it all. There are loads of bone-tired days and wrenching hard work. There is sweat, grit, and perseverance. It almost seems like we picked the wrong team to be on!

But there are so many more reasons to say: “WHY NOT?” There is heart. There is passion. There is dedication. There is vision. There is comfort. There is joy. There is peace. There is faith. There is unexplainable love. And, I wouldn’t have it any other way, because, no matter what – with Jesus, there is always hope.

Jesus delivers BIG TIME. Not just for eternity either. I confess there are times I need a deliverer right this minute! Jesus holds me. He relieves the pressure. Jesus is so…good. He surpasses easy. He is that good. So, our battle is good.

It makes us warriors. As crazy as it seems, our battles are good for us. They are conqueror-makers. It’s hardly about arriving, but all about journeying to touch the hem of His garment, pouring a bottle of perfume on His feet, reaching out to touch the nail scars in His hands, opening our eyes to see.

It’s grabbing hold of His hand and never letting go. It is walking in His footprints and sometimes letting Him carry us when we’re worn and tired. We become the most radiant and dedicated warriors ever. Deep in our hearts, we know what He’s given us. It is truly – the very best. When we understand that, we really have ARRIVED!

“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life.'” John 14:6