By Danny Minton

Have you given any thought to when you made the decision to come to Christ?

For each of us, there are times that probably touched us to follow Christ. It could have been one specific point or a series of events that moved us to change. In my case, there were three separate events where my heart was changed. Then again, it wasn’t just the event itself but something intangible that wouldn’t become clear for years to come.

I have difficulty remembering specifics from my early years, much less how I felt about things. However, there are three events where my deepest feelings impressed upon my heart a need to act. While the specifics remain vague, the times, places, and motivation remain.

My parents were Sunday morning “churchgoers.” They didn’t teach class; they weren’t involved in a ministry (I don’t think we had them); they didn’t work with VBS or volunteer for any work that I can remember; however, my dad did serve communion every so often.

The preacher was not inspiring at our little congregation. The only thing I remember is his name, and there was one time the men of the congregation were upset with him about something and were ready for him to leave. I don’t remember what it was about, but I do remember my mother and dad discussing something about the church and preacher.

Event one in my life came when I was 12 years old. I sat in a gospel meeting in our old theater. I don’t remember the lesson, but I know it wasn’t an old “hell, fire, and brimstone” type. I don’t remember the preacher. What I do remember is that night; it was like a light switch was turned on. I still feel it now when I think about it. It was at that point that I felt deep down that I needed to make Christ my savior. I don’t know what was said, and I know there were many things that I didn’t understand or comprehend fully. But even as I write this, that feeling comes back. I was baptized the following Sunday nearly sixty-five years ago. We continued attending church services on Sundays for a while, then stopped for several years. I don’t know why, but from what I can remember, it may have been my dad’s feelings about the preacher.

Event two came when I was 17. One Sunday, I went back to church because a girl I liked, I found out, went there. I went; she wasn’t there, so I listened to the sermon. Something was said that brought that same feeling that I felt at 12. The feeling is still impressed on my heart as I write this. I recommitted my life that Sunday by asking the church to pray for me. You remember, don’t you, when we would go down front? I stood in the pew and told myself if they sang verse three of the invitation song, I was going forward. Well, guess what? The song was “Just as I Am,” the one where every verse and then some are sung. The church’s response was overwhelming, and that is the beginning of why I’m here today. It was there that I met another girl. We’ve been together for fifty-seven years this summer.

Finally, there was a third event where I felt pointed to change my goals in life. I was an aeronautical engineering major at Arlington State College (UT at Arlington) and took a Bible class at the Bible Chair as an elective. It was a New Testament class, and our first assignment was to read the first few chapters of Luke. That evening, I sat down and started to read. I didn’t put my Bible down until I had read the entire book of Luke. It was the first time I had read “The Story” from beginning to end. Something happened in my thinking, and I decided that I would change schools and come to Abilene Christian College (ACU) to major in Bible and enter full-time ministry.

So, what about the intangible? It’s found in Romans 2. “A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical. No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly, and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code.” (Romans 2:28,29)

The one thing we cannot see is at what age the Spirit grasps an individual’s heart. That’s not something we can see from the outside or put on a list. I encourage us all. Go back from time to time and revisit that time in your Christian journey where you were convicted to follow and serve God. Share it with others. Do you remember when the fingers of the Spirit first touched your heart?

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ