Say Yes To Jesus!
That’s why they call it Good News
At the close of a retreat last weekend, Camilla* came to me surrounded by her posse. All weekend I had talked about transformation and invited the audience to take one step closer to Jesus. Camilla wanted to know what her next step with Jesus should be.
She said, “I’m not all that close to Jesus, what do I do?”
“That depends. Tell me more. Have you received Jesus as Savior and gone cold?” I asked.
“No,” she said, “I haven’t ever done that.”
I paused.
“Are you ready to do that now?”
The women standing around her held their position, their encouragement, and their breath.
“Yeah, I think I am,” she said. “What do I do?”
I said, “Put your hand in the air and say, ‘I say yes to Jesus.’”
She tried. The words got stuck. Her eyes leaked. Her face reddened. Then after about three minutes of trying to choke it out, she put her hand in the air, and stammered, “I say yes to Jesus!”
We all whooped and shouted and hugged her.
The process begins with the first step.
She’s in. She’s taken the first step. And, it’s a fabulous first step. The steps ahead will be to confess her sins and receive forgiveness, put her trust in God when she does not like or understand His reason, and serve alongside the community of believers she worships with.
I took great pleasure seeing her bunkmates celebrate her decision in genuine love, knowing they will lead her on a discipleship path. They will be with her when life gets messy and hard. Just as they celebrated her first step toward Jesus last weekend, they will lead her to loving Jesus and catch her if she falters along the way.
It was a beautiful picture of the church in action.
Camilla had been part of the church ladies’ posse for a year. They had included her in the fun of the retreat and as a result, would spend eternity with her. Between the right now of life in the trenches and the not yet of eternity, they are prepared to grow her faith and equip her for life.
As we wrapped up the celebration for our new sister in Christ, I asked Camilla if she wanted to practice saying yes to Jesus again before we parted. With a big grin and even bigger voice, she shot her hand in the air and shouted, “I SAY YES TO JESUS!”
Have you taken the first step?
I’d hate to think that you haven’t taken the first step toward eternal life with Jesus and us church ladies. If you’ve never stuck your hand in the air and shouted, “I say yes to Jesus,” today could be the day. You can do it right there where you are. Go ahead. I’ll wait.
Leave me a comment telling me when and where you said yes to Jesus. It’s a celebration that never ends.
Prayer: Father, we celebrate Camilla’s surrender to you and pray that you’ll lead her to a deep relationship with you. Equip her with Holy Spirit power to resist evil and do your will. Take us all deeper in love with you so we can love others the way you love us. In Jesus Name, amen.
*Not her real name.
I was very young when I said ‘Yes’ to Jesus! My first attempt to answer an altar call was met by the stern disapproval of my aunt & uncle who thought I was much too young to know what I was doing and prevented my going forward. My parents did not agree with them and after speaking with the pastor, there was another altar call and when I felt led to go, no body stopped me!
When it’s time, it’s time. Your parents are wise people.
I said yes to Jesus at a YFC event when I was about 15. But it was in the 70s that I really leaned what it means for him to be Lord and Master of my life. so for these years I have been working to give all to Jesus to have the spirit be all in and through me.
at 81, I feel I have so much more to learn and grow before I go to face him.
Judith – you inspire me. The process of saying yes is just the first step in a lifetime of surrendering to Jesus. So glad you’re on the God Team.
I was saved April 23 1987
Hi Patty,
How wonderful! Were you a child?
I gave my life to Jesus in 1984, At 27 years old. God was very very patient with me. Now, at 61 years old, God has made me into a Prayer Warrior and an encourager. I love to encourage others in their walk with God. Thank you Lord, that You never gave up on me.
I had the privilege of seeing you several years ago in Herrick Illinois. Thank you Robyn for your weekly encouragement! In Christ’s Love, Donna J. Davis.
I love this, Donna. How wonderful that you are a prayer warrior. We cannot do without you.
I was 4 years old. I was playing outside by the birch tree and felt compelled to go inside and ask my mom to tell me again, the story of nicodemus being born again. Then I said, “I want to be saved too.” Mom thought I was too young, but I cried. So she “let” me pray and say yes to Jesus.
Love this story, Robyn! I’m delighted with you over the ways God is using you!
What a rich legacy you have in your family, Shannon.
I said YES to Jesus on May 4, 2013 at Cedar Lake Ministries. God did His thing to make sure I attended my very first women’s retreat that year and threw me into the midst of so many women who ended up loving me back to life. That summer, my son also gave his life to Jesus at summer camp at Cedar Lake Ministries. And in September of 2019 I married the love of my life at Cedar Lake Ministries.
It has been an incredible ride these past 6+ years and I’m only mad that I didn’t open that door sooner!
Oh my! This is a wonderful testimony. Hurrah and congratulations Sara!
I attended church all my life but not until my husband (boyfriend at the time) shared the difference of a personal relationship with Christ did my eyes and heart open to the wonderful relationship I now have with my Lord and Savior. That was in 1974 at the age of 20. Now at 64 (65 in two weeks) I still am in awe that the God of all creation knows and loves me and directs my life.
What a sweet story. I do love happy endings. Thanks for writing Shelley.