Experiences that changed you

[Jacob's Ladder]

Originally Posted by Sister Alvear

Some experiences I am sure we do not care to share on a public forum but maybe we might share others that might help someone struggling on the journey...

God began opening spiritual doors for me at age sixteen. At age eighteen I began backsliding and indulging in worldly pleasures. I can’t lie, the world is full of much pleasure, anything readily available to those whom seek. I remember many telling me “come back to God, he has much in stored for you.” I was in Las Vegas at age twenty-two with a girlfriend, standing on the strip when something came over me. I began to weep and that very night I couldn’t sleep. I felt as if I was going crazy, falling into a state of depression. On Sunday morning I asked the girl I was with to drop me off at church (UPCI) in Las Vegas. I walked into the church and sat down. The pastor said, “everyone please stand!” There’s was something inside me that wanted to leave, I didn’t want to be there. The pastor then said, "somebody here is going through the darkest trial in your life and I have word of the Lord for you." He then started speaking my circumstance and said, your longitude is going to determine your latitude.

We returned to California that same day, and on the way back I cried for no reason. I still rebelled and indulged in sin in the midst of my circumstance. A few days later I began feeling sick and went to the hospital, I was diagnosed with acute renal failure, basically my kidneys were shutting down, I was admitted. I couldn’t believe this was happening to me! I had three doctors trying to diagnose the problem. They had plans to operate and install some type of vein to start dialysis. I remember this stranger lady walking into my room and sitting down beside me. She grabbed my hand, looked at me and said, “God loves you.” I began weeping and she began weeping too. The next day I had a brother visit me and I gave my life back to God that evening. The next day the three doctors came to me and said, we don’t know what happen, but your kidneys are getting better. I was discharged from the hospital three days later, and God healed my kidneys.

God didn’t prepare a fish for me as Jonah! My fish was a hospital room and my stay was five days and four nights. All this world has to offer is a dirt clod painted gold. Yes, it’s shinny and attractive, but it will break apart in your hands leaving you wanting, lost in a strange land that’s seeking to kill you.