Joey's Epiphany

I have a friend at work named Joey who I have been witnessing to for about a year. Despite having heard the gospel countless times throughout his life, Joey is an unbeliever. He knows what the Bible says, but finds himself unwilling to take up his cross and follow Christ. Well, he just got back from bootcamp for the Army Reserves, where he told me of an "epiphany" he had. He said, "In bootcamp, they take away everything from you, except your training. All the stuff you rely on, all the things that you do or distract you are gone, and you are left with who you really are." Then Joey said to me, "I got a look at myself and I didn't like what I saw." I was stunned. I immediately began to ask him questions about his realization of himself and what he thought he should do. But despite catching a glimpse of who he really was and the depth of his sinfulness, Joey is not yet ready to respond to the gospel. He's not ready to admit his wretchedness and utter need for Christ. He is still unwilling to fall on his face before God to respond in repentance and faith. Rather than being broken, he is attempting to cover over his epiphany. He would rather think he's not that bad.

All of us have experienced those times in which everything is stripped away and we find the reality of our hearts laid bare. The sight of it can be frightening. It may come in the dead of night or in the middle of the day, when were are alone or in the middle of a crowd. But there we are...there we REALLY are. And in those moments we catch a glimpse of the wretched, black, malignant, putrid hearts within each of us. We can see our transgression. We feel the guilt. The yoke of sin and death are tight around our necks, and we realize the futility of our insatiable lusts. In that instant, we must make a choice. We can attempt to bury deep within the recesses of our minds, or we can let it break us. We can hide it away and lie to ourselves, or, in honesty and earnestness, fall on our knees in contrition and appeal for mercy.

For those of us who have responded to the free offer of the gospel by repenting and trusting in Christ alone for our salvation: Let us never forget that image. This is who we were apart from Jesus. This is who they are who don't believe in the Son of God. We must remember so that we never attempt to rip ourselves from our recognition for the need of God's continual, sustaining grace.

For those who may have stood in Joey's shoes as an unbeliever: If you have not had an epiphany like his, it will come. But if you have had those times in which you caught a glimpse of the true nature of your heart, REMEMBER! Don't try to cover it over. Don't try to deceive yourself into believing that you are okay. Repent. Turn to the only one who can free you from your bondage to sin. There is no lasting satisfaction in this life apart from Christ. Seek the one in whom true joy comes, trust in Him, and seek out Christians who can help you know more about the Christian life. But do not delay. You may stuff this vision for a while, but it will come back time and again to haunt you. And every time it does, it beckons you to God. Receive the hope that comes only from Jesus.

In closing, I beg my brothers and sisters in Christ to pray for Joey. I believe he is not far from the kingdom of God. And to all of you, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope!" - Romans 15:13