“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
I got saved at a little tiny church in northern Michigan. That’s where I first heard the gospel preached. That’s where I saw a grown man cry for the first time…his name was Pastor Norm.
When I first saw him cry it made me uneasy. As an eleven year old boy I was (incorrectly) raised to “never cry unless someone dies.” And here was a grown man crying in front of his small congregation, which included my Dad, my sisters, and myself.
I glanced over at my Dad to gauge his reaction. He stoically sat watching Pastor preach his message. He didn’t look uncomfortable or disgusted, which I thought would be the case. Dad always had a hard exterior.
Instead he watched and listened closely, so I listened too…and my heart then heard the real message behind the tears.
It was a plea for lost souls to come to Christ. It was a description of the suffering of one called Jesus who died for all of humanity. I listened as that great big preacher with a booming baritone voice tearfully laid out the case for the gospel of Jesus Christ.
That was over thirty years ago, and I can remember it perfectly. Pastor Norm carried a joy of his salvation that made you smile…and at the same time he had a sorrow for lost humanity. Both of these came through in his preaching, and they mesmerized me as a young boy.
And so I trusted Christ and got saved. Then I got baptized. Because of that I lost my “friends” at school. Then my Pastor resigned and my Dad left the church. No more sanctification, accountability, and Bible teaching. My teenage years became a mess of drugs, rebellion, alcohol, and sin.
Since then, I’ve fought many battles and trials, fell flat on my spiritual face too many times to count, and failed the Lord in selfish, fleshy ways.
But I’ve also preached hundreds of times in the pulpit, nursing homes, and jails. We’ve seen so many souls come to Christ. I’ve made better friends in church than I ever had in the world. I have a beautiful Christian bride to minister with me. God has blessed greatly, and I can hardly believe it.
The point? Someone loved Christ enough to lay the Gospel out with desperate tears, and I was in the congregation at age eleven hearing that beautiful heart beat. That began a good work in my life which led me through battlefields, dark valleys, and also high mountain peaks. I’m so thankful for Pastor Norm and his unashamed tears.
Your life is on display today. Don’t be ashamed to love Christ and/or share your love, even with tears. Too many are afraid to display their emotions today. If someone sees such love in your life I guarantee they’ll not forget it…and, like me, it may begin the eternal good work of Christ in a lost soul.
“He who continually goes forth weeping,
Bearing seed for sowing,
Shall doubtless come again with rejoicing,
Bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6
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Thank you for sharing your lovely testimony with us today Eric. I also was raised under the banner “men don’t cry!” by a strict dad. And I remember the tears that flowed freely on Good Friday 1984 when I gave my life to Jesus; it was such a release that changed me forever. The Good News is the best medicine we can offer to others, may we share it often. God bless you today brother 🙏
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“Happy tears” are the best tears! Thanks for your encouragement today brother!👍🏻🙏
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Amen, brother! Our lives and love are constantly on display. Years back, I remember an NBA star player who flippantly said, “I’m not your kid’s role model.”
Ahem…Excuse me, sir. Yes you are a role model—either for good, bad, or something in between.
It’s also powerful how God got ahold of you and kept ahold of you, even through your rebellion. Pastors and even dads come and go—my father died in 2007, and wasn’t a mentor to me in the Christian faith—but my Heavenly Father got (and kept) ahold of me too!
Preach on, brother Eric!
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Good and wise words, brother David!
I’m so thankful that God never loses sight of the weak and immature sheep who are thrashing about in the brambles. Only when I was tired of being a “loser” did I relent and turn toward the green pasture where the good Shepherd was all along, waiting and watching.
Have a blessed day!👊🏻🙏
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Your testimony is both captivating and heartfelt. I support your recommendation to proudly proclaim tearful and passionate love for the Lord Jesus Christ to make every effort to save lost souls. Whatever it takes! Thanks, Eric! 🙂
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Thanks Nancy! Yes, I think tears and heartfelt emotions are what a calloused society needs to see right now…reminds me of what Jeremiah said in Lamentations 3:51
“My eyes bring pain to my soul
Because of all the daughters of my city.”
One preacher said this years ago and I never forgot it…”If what we’re seeing in this world isn’t affecting our heart, then we’re not seeing what we need to be seeing.”
Preaching to me now.😉
Have a blessed day, Nancy!
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Thank you! God bless you, Eric.
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Thank you so much for sharing your testimony. So inspiring! It makes you think about how people are always watching the way you live your life, whether you realize it or not. Hopefully, we radiate God’s love, peace and hope to others!
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Yes indeed…I never spoke to my Pastor again after he left the church. The last he knew I was just a newly saved kid in a broken home, but he has no idea how often I’ve thought of his preaching style, emotion, joy, or even the twinkle in his eyes.
I kid you not, his eyes would actually twinkle when you looked into them.
One day we’ll know who we impacted for all of eternity…and I look forward to seeing those who have made a mark on my soul…especially Jesus, but also Pastor Norm and many others.
Have a blessed day, Heather!
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