A tent meeting was being held in a town about two-and-a-half miles from my home. I had been there several times and would have given myself to Jesus if pride had not kept me back. I was afraid of what people might say.
Yes, through pride I yielded to Satan, who whispered: “There is plenty of time! You are young. Besides, you are a great deal better than many other girls. You go to church and read your Bible and say your prayers twice a day; what else could be expected of you?”
But my heart was not satisfied. I often thought of that verse: Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. (Daniel 5:2727TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting. (Daniel 5:27).) Yet I did not know what I lacked, for surely I was good enough!
I decided I would not go to the tent again, but my sister, who had been a Christian for some years, persuaded me to go just once more with her. On our way she spoke of the joy of salvation, and I made up my mind that I would give myself to Christ.
At the close of the service the speaker offered some gospel books to any who were anxious to be saved. How my heart raced! Should I, or should I not, accept one? I thought of all the things that I believed I would have to give up if I became a Christian. Then I thought, “This might be my last chance to accept Christ. He has called me many times, and I have always refused.”
Oh, no one but myself and God knows what a battle was fought in those few moments. God, who is always ready to help those who ask Him, helped me then, and the verse, My grace is sufficient for thee (2 Corinthians 12:99And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)), flashed through my mind. With an effort I got up in front of all the people—I knew almost everyone there—and went up and took a book. How I shook!
When the people were going out I went to the evangelist and asked him if I might talk to him. He said, “I am so glad to see you; you have taken a step tonight in the right path, and I thank God for it.”
Then he showed me, as clearly as possible, God’s way of salvation. But it seemed too simple, for I thought that I must do something to earn salvation instead of having only to trust the Saviour. Many, many people make this same mistake. If there were some great thing to do before we could be saved, how cheerfully we would do it, but what can we do to save ourselves? Absolutely nothing!
Then the evangelist said to me: “You must look to God, and not to yourself.”
He took a key out of his pocket and said, “Now, suppose you were to ask me for that key, and I offered it to you. Would you keep on asking for it when you could take it any minute? You have only to accept.”
Thank God, I did so, and though I have often been assailed with doubts and fears, yet I know that “I am His, and He is mine.” I hope and pray that I may never be ashamed to own Him as my Lord and Saviour.