IN FAR AWAY New Zealand one sunny day on the side of a hill, a group of school girls were clustered around their teacher. On the top of the hill stood the school for girls surrounded by beautiful flower gardens.
The teacher was a Christian and her voice could be heard saying, “Dear girls, the home of Jesus in heaven is full of light and song, love, joy and peace. There is no sin nor sickness, and no one will ever say ‘good-bye.’ "
She went on to tell how the Lord Jesus is coming soon for all who will hear His voice, whose sins are all forgiven through making Him their choice. “If He should come today, girls, to call us away, she asked, “are all who stand around me here ready to go to be with Him?”
Yes, all the girls were saved and ready, except one. Poor Annie had often been spoken to about her need of a Saviour, but she held fast to her pleasures and the things of earth.
One night while Annie was asleep and the moon shone in through her little window, her school friends were on their knees in a nearby room praying for her. Even as they prayed, Annie had a dream. She dreamed that the Lord came to call His own away and take them to heaven, and she was left behind alone.
Annie awoke in terror, and looking about she saw that every bed in her room was empty. Jumping up she wandered up and down the corridors, scarcely knowing what she did, until she heard voices coming from one of the rooms. It was all dark but she recognized the voices of her girl friends and she heard her own name borne up in prayer to God.
“Lord Jesus, save Annie, we pray,” were words she heard repeated by several voices. It was too much for Annie. Oh how thankful she was to find that her friends were still here and that she still had a chance to be saved.
Stealing in quietly into the room she knelt down to pray with the girls. Then it was the girls’ turn to be surprised when they heard a plaintive voice cry out, “Lord Jesus, save me; I am a sinner.” It was Annie’s voice. At once the answer came from heaven to her troubled heart: “I came to seek and to save that which was lost and tonight I come to claim your precious soul, Annie.”
When Annie rose from her knees she was a different young girl. Her fear and terror had ceased, and when the lights were on, her friends rejoiced to see her radiant smile. How they thanked God for answering their prayers! We know there was joy in heaven that night for “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:1010Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:10).
Now Annie is ready and waiting for the Lord Jesus to come, while she finds her greatest pleasure in loving service for Him down here.
ML-07/22/1973