You were an outsider to me,
one whom I did not know.
Only a man
capable of good works,
an excellent teacher.
You increased the loaves and fishes,
how grand—some divine symbol.
You healed the man with leprosy,
how kind—
compassion on the outcast.
Lunatic, liar, or lord?
You were none to me—
just a main character in
a series
of nice stories.
But then you called my name
as if I was in a fairytale
where the characters
suddenly
came to life.
I knew your sayings well,
Yet when you spoke them—
I was astonished.
You were alive—and real—
Not just a character in a book.
You called my name,
I loved the sound of
your sweet voice.
You even held my hand
and urged me not to be afraid.
You told me I could
be your friend and you mine.
It would be a relationship like no other,
One I’ve always longed for,
And thought I already knew.
You invited me,
I accepted.
You held out your hand to me.
I did not waiver,
I took hold and never looked back.
And now, you never leave my side.
You are in my heart, my soul—
my very being.
I still cannot fathom your love completely,
but now I have a better idea.
The words I once read
now have a voice,
And they are sweet to my ears.
You are my Lord,
You have redeemed me,
Thank you, Jesus.
__
It’s hard to fully grasp how great the love of Jesus Christ is until you join him in relationship. I had heard of the Sinner’s Prayer and experienced people who professed their faith in Christ during the years I spent in private Christian elementary school, but I always felt like an outsider. I did not have a relationship with the risen Savior; I did not know Him as my Lord. I had no understanding of my sin that separated me from God.
It’s tough to always feel like an outsider—whether by upbringing or by choice. Asking God to guide me and reveal himself to me has made all the difference.
John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”
[I shared this poem at a recent conference I attended of people with people (like myself) who have left the Christian Science faith, called Fellowship of Former Christian Scientists.]
