seen in just as long. I was very reluctant, and quite frankly, I didn’t want to. I knew that if I went to spend time with them, with it being a Sunday, I would also be invited to go to church with them that evening. My friend kept insisting that I come hang out. I finally accepted her offer and went to visit. I felt so ill at ease, but very quickly she made me feel comfortable and relaxed. What I thought was going to be awkward was an altogether graceful experience. Although I no longer felt anxious about being there around my friends, I did, however, feel anxious about what time it was. I kept finding myself glancing at the clock. Time was flying, and I knew they would soon leave for church and try their best to make me tag along. As six o’clock quickly approached, I could feel the most gripping anxiety creeping up within me. What was I to do? I was a Muslim girl. Muslims do not actively participate in the worship of another god, let alone the worship of a human being.
The Christian faith, which I was raised to live by, had become a blurred memory far into the depths of my mind. I was engrossed in a completely different mindset; I had an entirely different concept of who the Supreme was. We arrived at the church, and before we even got into the parking lot, I began bawling.
Uncontrollable sobs were rising up from deep within. Not knowing what was going on, my friend looked at me with distinct bewilderment. I could only mutter, “I don’t know what’s wrong with me.” All the while, I knew that something was taking place within my spirit and within my soul.
I gathered myself together. With wobbly knees, I got out of the car and walked inside the church. Once inside the foyer of my church, I began to sob again. Huge tears welled up in my eyes, racing down my face. I darted to the bathroom before anyone could see me.
I then gathered myself together a second time. I proceeded to go into the sanctuary. This was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences that I’ve had in my walk with the Lord, and I haven’t experienced anything like it since. Upon entering the sanctuary, I could sense the weighty presence of the Almighty. He was making Himself so evident to me with near-tangible affirmation. He knows exactly what we need, when we need it. He knew I needed to know with absolute certainty that He was the Truth. This particular night was talent night at my church. A lady and her son sang a song, “Through the Fire,” by the Crabb Family, and for a third time I began weeping uncontrollably. At that moment, a Voice spoke to me. It said, “Go to the altar.” This Voice was so prominent; it was undeniably the voice of our Father Who was speaking to me. A second time He said, “Go to the altar.” I battled within myself, “Should I go? I don’t believe Jesus is God. I just can’t do this.” Once more, the Voice said to me, “Go to the altar.” This time it was not a mere Spirit-to-heart communication. I had heard Him even more outstanding than the first two times. I heard Him audibly. At the sound of His voice, I’d finally surrendered and rushed to the front of the church. I’d made my life right with our Lord and Savior. There were old friends that met me there, praying and crying with me. It was a beautiful act of surrender. I felt as though a huge weight, a thick darkness had been lifted from me. I could feel it, physically.
When we submit to the drawing of the Holy Spirit, He is sure to retrieve us from the deepest pit. His Word tells us in Job 22:21 that when we submit to Him, and when we’re at peace with Him, good things will come to us. This is true from the very moment we accept Him into our lives and hearts. It is an immediate move on our behalf, that He would grant us “good things,” such as peace, love and joy. He is so faithful to carry us into His rest. All we have to do is simply acknowledge that He is Who He says He is; that is our Salvation and our Hope."
Coming Home to His Love
Today, Hannah is an absolute fireball, burning for Jesus Christ! From the outside looking in, one would never know the dark journey her heart went on, through deception and the valley of the shadow of death. All you can see is a heart shining with the light of Heaven, so brilliantly overjoyed to have found her forever home in His arms.
"I think the biggest thing I've learned since straying away from Him and then coming back, is just what your question is inquiring about: His Love!
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