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Change of Direction by Linda A Spencer I can remember a song on the radio: "Who Will Answer?" It was like my theme song. I wondered if there was anyone who could "answer" my need. To turn my life from such dark colors and such a mess of tangled threads. My junior year in college I got to know a girl in University chorus. She was so different from other ones I had met; for one thing she had a very interesting car -- an old clunker. She called it the "Green guillotine" It had a passenger side visor that would fall down and swing around when the car hit a bump; the passenger had to be very alert. But, seriously, she was different in that she showed a real genuine interest in me. She went home with me for a weekend and that Saturday night we talked about "Who Will Answer?" I told her about my beliefs - how I believed that God was in everything and that I could join with Him just by meditating on the trees or sky or whatever. She replied , "No, the only way to God is through Jesus Christ." That truth grabbed hold of me. As I look back I see that the Master Weaver was working. Psalm 139 also says, " Even before there is a word on my tongue, behold, O Lord, You know it all." I felt something different deep inside. But I didn't really understand it. The next day, back at the University of Southern Mississippi, I talked with a Christian minister; he asked "why do you think Jesus came to earth?" I said "to be a good example for us to follow." He agreed but said that there was so much more. He used the Bible to show me that all had sinned and fall short of God's glory and that no matter how hard a person tries to do good and follow Jesus' example one could never live up to the standard. I could identify with that, thinking of the ways I had pridefully tried to weave my own life, to make my life work out, coming up with a bunch of broken threads and a general mess. Also the Word of God revealed to me that because of my falling short I would have to pay the wages of sin - death. I could only think "more dark colors in my life; no hope for me to measure up. But, then he explained the GOOD news from the Bible, that the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. That God so loved Linda that He sent His Son into the world to live a perfect life. And as one not condemned by sin, He chose to die in my place; Then Jesus rose from the dead and sits at the right hand of the Father. AND He offers to those who believe the gift of eternal life. Now here were some bright colors for sure-and hope of a tangled mess of my life being woven together anew. At that moment, I believed and received that truth and the gift of God through Jesus Christ. I met Jesus as my Lord and Savior. The darkness in my life had been overtaken by light. I was filled with hope, love and peace. As I walked back to the dorm with a new-found excitement and joy I passed a high school friend. She stopped me and said, "Linda, what has happened to you? You look so happy." I explained and she was excited for me. Receiving my Savior had indeed changed in my life -- even my countenance. The broken threads in the weaving of my plan were being woven into a new pattern. And it continued that evening as I went to the cafeteria. As I came out of the serving line. I was met by one of the guys from a Christian group. He said, "we're all eating over here, why don't you join us." That blew my mind because I wasn't used to others showing acceptance to me. The group welcomed me with great enthusiasm. Indeed the weaving of my life was taking on new directions.
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