Vacation Bible school at Old Fashioned Baptist Church in Martins Creek has more meaning to me than a fun week of Christian-based activities, as it is where I let Jesus into my heart and wrote my name in the Lamb’s Book of Life for eternity.
The scene was a lot like the one the night of July 14 at the 2021 Old Fashioned Vacation Bible School, with Pastor Hoyt Brown telling a story to the teenage classes with his authentic abilities to draw in and captivate his audience. I was sitting on the first pew, second person from the aisle, more than likely sandwiched between a Wilson sibling and someone else.
I don’t remember the exact day of the week – usually during the song I say it was a Tuesday, but really it could have been a Wednesday or a Thursday. All I know is that it was not the first day of VBS nor was it the last day. But the day of the week does not matter, I can’t even remember the story Hoyt told.
The truth is, I didn’t hear a word of what my pastor said that night. What I heard was God telling me over and over again that I needed to be saved; He was dealing with my heart so intensely that it was something I had never felt before.
My heart was beating so wild and fast in my chest that it felt like it would explode at any moment. I honestly don’t know how I could have appeared normal to the people around me because on the inside it felt like I was in a raging battle.
My muscles were wound tight, and I was ready to spring up from that pew the instant Hoyt gave the invitation. I probably could have gone before the invitation, but I waited as patiently for the opportunity to hurl myself at the altar.
The altar is nothing more than an old bench that has been stained with the tears of many Christians on its grooved surface. I was on the floor in an instant, and my pastor was there beside me, praying that I would open my heart and let the Lord in. And I did.
The weight and burden that had been on my heart just minutes before lifted. I could feel the tension and adrenaline escaping my body like it was an entity of itself floating away.
Tears were freely flowing down my face, and I could barely see anyone else as I stood up after leaving my old life behind me. I can honestly say, it doesn’t matter the journey it takes to get to the altar – just get there.