The moment where Jesus stops being a story and becomes a reality

I have felt this story for a week now.

I told it at Wednesday night church and I haven't been able to just let it go.

The activity was: Share a moment when you felt Jesus in your life.

I was 15 years old at World Changers.

(For those of you who don't know what World Changers is, it is a youth trip where we meet and build on low income and disabled homes for a week. GOOGLE IT.) 

My parents were separating, and I was so angry.

My relationship with my mom was at it's worst. 

She was a chaperone and I honestly cannot begin to describe what I felt.

Being real, I was a huge brat. 

My best friend at the time told me and we all know that when someone tells you something true it only makes you MORE angry.

I was just that, MORE angry. 

In World Changers there is one evening during the week where we don't have a speaker just worship and prayer.

After I received this truth slap to the face I went up to the service to escape from chaos.

I sat down in worship and Holy Spirit was moving. 

People around me were encountering the Lord and I was trying to numb my heart.

Then an old hymn begins to play.

"Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow. 

Lord, now indeed I find thy pow'r and thine alone

can change the leper's spots

and melt a heart of stone."

I'm tearing up remembering all the emotions.

He melted my heart of stone.

Jesus Christ paid MY debt and raised this life up from the dead.

I broke down, I felt the Lord say "Sarah, I paid your debt, don't you think I paid your moms debt too?"

I began think, "Who am I to hold on to that anger?"

I began to repent and let Father God love me. 

Of course the song moved right on time. 

"I'm coming back to the heart of worship."

Oh and did I come back to the heart of worship.

I came back and I poured my heart out in worship.

That night, Jesus Christ became a reality in my life.

He stopped being a story I hear about every year on Easter and Christmas.

Jesus Christ became a person who is alive and moving.

That night the reality of Jesus began saving my life.

The timing was impeccable. 

Two months later my brother died,  and within a year my parents were officially divorced.

If I hadn't had that encounter with Jesus, the thought of where I would be is almost unbearable.

I know I wouldn't be married to my dream.

I would have never have been to Africa.

And I wouldn't believe in restoration of relationships.

I am sure you are wondering what the point is, or maybe you are just crying like me.

My point is:

Jesus Christ melted my heart of stone and carried me through every single moment of my life.

Where I felt no hope, He hoped for me.

Where I felt helpless, He helped me.

Where I was lost, He found me.

and 

Where I was bound, He set me free.

He still does.

The moment where Jesus stops being a story and becomes a reality changes your life.

It moves your heart where it has never been moved.

It brings you to a place you never imagined you could be.

I just want you to realize how incredible that moment is.

Maybe you've been there? Maybe you haven't?

Either way, there is NOTHING I would change about that moment. 

I encourage you to reach for your moment.

It's there, like a fresh ripe fruit for the picking.

It's just waiting for you.