Markers.
I think all journeys have markers. Specific points along the journey that denote routes in the journey, changes in direction, new roads taken, key places along the way.
Spiritual journeys also have markers. Specific points along the path of a disciple as that person follows Jesus Christ. Examples include baptism, joining a church, etc.
My "journey starts here" marker is in Flatwoods. A little community just east of Lexington, Georgia. This is a part of my testimony of being a Christ Follower. It happened when I was very young.
I think it was it 1969. I’m not sure. All I remember is being very, very young. So, from a chronological perspective we’ll put it here. Back in the Summer of '69.
This spiritual marker was driven into the ground as I was standing in the front yard of my parents' home in Flatwoods (pictured above). It's now 55 Argo Drive, but at that time, the address was Rural Route (RR) #1, Box 197, Lexington, GA 30648. I say that because I was with my mom at the mailbox in the front yard beside the dirt road that ran in front of our house.
I can vaguely remember other people being in the yard and she was probably trying to talk to them as she got the mail and I was pitching a fit about something. Crying. Screaming probably. I know I was at least walking, but I also remember holding mom’s hand and hugging her knee. Maybe I was trying to get her to pick me up.
Finally, she had had enough and turned to me and said very sternly, “David, Jesus doesn’t want to hear you cry!” I stopped crying.
I don’t know how theologically accurate that little bit of discipleship was that she gave me that day, but I do know that at that moment I had a clear revelation in my mind and in my heart. You can’t question it because it’s my story.
Here it is…
I had ABSOLUTELY NO DOUBT of who Jesus was.
I guess I’d heard about him at church or something, but I did not have to ask who she was talking about. I can even remember picturing Him in my head.
He was watching me cry.
He wasn’t angry or anything like that, but He was definitely there.
He definitely existed.
He was also definitely aware of me in a way that I felt like I had His full attention. He knew I was crying. He wasn’t saying anything…He was just looking at me.
And I knew I needed to stop.
Not because I felt like Jesus was mad and didn’t want me to cry or scream or pitch a fit, in fact the vision I have of him was one of compassion. Rather, I needed to stop crying because my mom who was my authority at that time had asked me not to cry and I wasn’t being obedient.
So, I stopped crying.
So, what?
What’s the significance of this whole story? It’s not about crying. It’s simply about these things…
· My mom was, in her way, discipling me.
· She had pointed me, in her way, to Jesus as an ultimate authority over me and He was the One who actually gave her authority over me and the authority to tell me to hush.
· I had a realization that Jesus existed and that He was supernatural. He wasn’t a neighbor or a relative, He was God who knew all, saw all, understood all.
· I understood clearly that He wanted me to obey my mother.
· I knew that being disobedient to her and not respecting her authority was wrong (sin) and I felt guilty for it.
· I knew I had to immediately become obedient and stop crying.
I stopped crying.
End of story.
Did I become a true Christ Follower that day? I don't think so, but it was without a doubt the initial revelation in my heart and mind of Jesus and it started me on a path.
On a journey.
One Man's Journey.
My journey.
I'll write about other markers in my journey with Jesus. But that one is key for me.
What about you? If you read this, tell me about your first realization of Jesus. I'd love to hear it.
Note: One Man's Journey is, in essence, my testimony. It is my story of Jesus and me. The story continues.
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