Page 16 of Hidden Depths

“Did what?”

“Where you can see inside my head. The reason I came today was because I want to be free. More than anything else. Today was going to be the day.”

Margaret’s mouth dropped open, and her eyes shimmered with emotion. “Today’s the day.”

“Yes. But what does it mean to ask Jesus to be in charge of my life?”

“A lot of people talk to God when they want His help, but they aren’t interested in handing their lives over to Him. They want Him to fix something so they can move on.” She took Sara’s hand. “I can tell you right now, you’ll be a lot better off if you give your life to Him. Then you get to walk with Him close by every day for the rest of your life. He gives us comfort and wisdom. He helps us to know how we should act and the decisions we should make to follow in His plan for our lives, which is the best one you can have.”

“Are you talking about becoming a Christian?”

“I am.”

“I went to mass a few times growing up.”

“That doesn’t mean you’re a Christian.”

“I thought that’s what it was. Church and stuff.”

“If you went to mass, then you probably have heard that Jesus is God’s son and that He was born a virgin birth, lived a sinless life, and then died on the cross to pay for our sins?”

“Yeah. I’ve heard all of that. Jesus is supposed to have risen from the dead on Easter, right?”

“Yes. Being a Christian means recognizing you are that sinful person Jesus died for and then receiving His sacrifice for those sins and inviting Him to be Lord of your life.”

“So, you’re kind of pledging yourself to Him?”

“In a way. But it’s more than that. When you make a decision to follow Jesus, God’s spirit resides in you, and you have Him as close as can be. You get a friend and a father and a protector and so many other things all in one.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

Sara’s stomach did somersaults at the thought. The idea was fanciful at best. But she couldn’t deny that the front door of the church was what drew her, along with the way she felt while she was here. The text messages and every other little thing moved into place, and she could see it was connected. God had been inviting her the whole time. And yet…

“I don’t know.”

“What’s stopping you?”

“I guess…He’s God, and I’m me. Why should He care so much?”

“That is a question for the ages. But He does. He loves you, that I am sure of.”

“I believe you.” She couldn’t explain it or understand it, but it was real. From the first day she’d met Margaret, Sara had known she had something. Something more. This must be it. And Sara wanted it.

“How do I do it? How do I give my life to Jesus?”

“We can pray a quick prayer, and it’s done.”

“That’s it?”

“That’s it.”

“What kind of prayer?”

“All you have to do is ask.”

“I wouldn’t know how.”

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