When I was 13 years old, I read a book that literally changed my life: David Wilkerson’s ”The Cross and the Switchblade”. The book hit me like a bomb and became a means of God’s calling in my life. For the first time I realized that Jesus really, really can change the life of a human being. The true story about Nicky, Israel, Jo-Jo, Maria and many others, young people destroyed by drugs and violence, with really no hope in life, touched me deeply. When pastor Wilkerson prayed and preached for them in Brooklyn, New York, everything almost collapsed. The guys wanted to destroy the meeting, steal the offering and show the pastor who ruled the streets. Instead they were overwhelmed by a power, the Holy Spirit, stronger than themselves. The next day they walked up to the police station to have the police men sign their Bibles and to share what had happened. A radical change.
We should never reduce faith in Jesus to some religious ceremonies or some sweet, pious words on life generally. We are called to preach the power of Jesus that changes lives, also today.
Author and pastor RT Kendall shares in one of his books about a sign he placed on the inner side of his pulpit in Westminster Chapel i London. Every time he went up to preach he could read the words: ”Maybe today”. That expectation is crucial to keep. Every day is a day when someone can be deeply touched by God. Let us never lose faith in a God that changes lives, also today.
Pastor Camilla