Four Words That Changed My Life
Four Words That Changed My Life Four Words That Changed My Life
I’m Jerry Wilhite, and this is my story.
Growing up in the midwestern state of Iowa, I had all a boy couldwant – a solid home life with parents who loved me; a 120-acre farmon which to hunt, fish, hike, and ride my motorcycle; a small schoolwhere four major sports were offered; multiple job opportunities;wholesome friends; and, eventually, a car I could call my own a blueVolkswagen Bug. By the time I finished high school in 1977, it hadbeen my fortune to participate in football, track and basketballduring each of my four years. I had coveted awards and positions;class offices usually bore my name; in my possession had been threedifferent motorcycles; and I had one of the highest-paying part-timejobs in south-central Iowa. Graduation day even had its honors. Myproud heart was nurtured and became even more proud.
I shouldn’t forget to mention the little Baptist church in thatsmall town, where my parents took me with fervent regularity, and theimpact that church made on me. Even my “religious” side was beingcultivated and developed. Memorizing verses, attending Sunday School,weekly Bible School, Youth rallies, state-wide conclaves, and Biblecamp all helped “teach” me what every good person should know.Bible knowledge? I had it.
Choosing a college to attend was difficult for me. My parentspresented an offer for each of their four children, “If you attendone year of Bible college, we’ll pay all first-year expenses”. Little did I know then of the impact that offer would make on mylife. My older sister opted for marriage. Being the secondchild, and the first of three boys, I thought I would chance it andtake advantage of this offer. What could one year of Bible collegehurt? “Probably just a glorified Sunday School,” I thought.
Through my parents’ guidance, I sought out and applied to aBaptist college in Wisconsin. The possibility of playing on a collegefootball team aroused my attention. But, when I arrived on campus, Ifound that college football players were a lot bigger than thepint-sized fellows I was used to. Was I ever glad the college fieldeda soccer team with smaller fellows on it! My next two weeks wereconsumed by attempting a sport I had never even seen played. Beforelong, classes were in full swing, new friends were being acquired,and opportunities abounded.
But, something was desperately wrong. I began to hearpreaching like I had never heard before – or at least I did notremember hearing. Stirring messages ripped at my heart and spoke of aliving, vibrant relationship with Christ that I did not know. Howwell I remember one particular night as a freshman when an itinerantpreacher thundered forth with the Word of God and left me with afeeling of the heavy weight of sin, an immense void, and anoverwhelming feeling of meaninglessness with my life. Thepreacher used verses such as Romans 3:10, “As it is written, Thereis none righteous, no not one”, and Psalm 53:2-3, “God looked downfrom heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any thatdid understand, that did seek God. Every on of them is gone back:they are altogether become filthy; there is none that doth good, no,not one.” Verses like these stung me. At first, I didn’t knowthat was happening. I did know one thing for sure, something wasdesperately wrong with me. Time and time again, message aftermessage, year after year the Lord mercifully knocked at my heart’sdoor, but this self-made and self-righteous fellow wouldn’t budge.
Getting busy would usually calm my fears, so that is what I did.By the commencement of my senior year, I was busily involved insports, academics, and extra-curricular activities. I becamedormitory supervisor, a vice president of the mission prayer band,our senior class chaplain, the student body chaplain, the presidentof our society, and the president of the inner-society (A compositeof all officers in every society on campus). Participating in thecollege chorale and faithfully working in a Baptist church filled mydays, nights and weekends.
In the fall of 1980, as a senior, I began to become astutely awareof my lost condition. By lost I mean that I was sinful andpurposeless in my life, with no true relationship with Christ. This all came to a head one particular day in November as I waswalking through the dorm performing a routine room inspection. Forweeks and months now the Lord had been seriously dealing with methrough Bible messages, the lives of others, and my own Bible study.The thought of being lost and without Christ had crossed my mind manytimes, but I persisted in problematic and perilous thoughts. Butthis morning was different.
The successful, yet struggling senior student finally yielded!Going to my own room and kneeling by an old stuffed chair, I finallyadmitted to the Lord my utterly lost condition and need for Christ inmy life. I was tired of having the external criteria, yet lacking theinternal and eternal Christ. Admitting to the Lord my hopeless andunsaved condition was not an easy thing. I had been successful inmany ways – especially religiously.
Though I don’t remember all that I said, nor how long I spentkneeling on the tile floor talking to the Lord, I do well remembersaying four words and getting to that place where most people don’twan to come. With these four words, I admitted to both God and myselfexactly what I was. “What were those four words?”, you may bewondering. “Lord, I am lost!” Upon admitting my truecondition, I asked the Lord to save me based upon the promise of theScripture: John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gavehis only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should notperish, but have everlasting life.” John 6:47, “Verily,verily, I say unto you, he that believeth on me hath everlastinglife.” When I arose, I had a peace and an assurance that Inever knew until that time. The burden of sin that so long I hadcarried was lifted. I began to see a new power in my life giving mevictory over sin; a different attitude toward those around me; and asense of being right with God.
If you have never yet been truly saved, then why not admit yourcondition “…all have sinned…”(Romans 3:23) and acceptChrist, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shallbe saved,” (Romans 10:13).
If you would like to know more about the Savior that changedJerry’s life, you are welcome to attend the
Lehigh Valley Baptist Church4702 Colebrook Avenue
Emmaus, PA 18049
Or call us at (610) 965 4700 or 1-800-893-9586.