First Minute (2 Corinthians 6:2)

I was searching for a new binge-able series to watch on streaming media. I stumbled upon a television series that was popular nearly twenty years earlier, successfully ran for nine seasons, and is still popular in syndication. I was familiar with several of the actors and had seen memes of the show, but this was the first time I had viewed it. Within the first minute, I was laughing and shaking my head. I was hooked! It was amusing since I have watched other series, equally as popular, that were incredibly boring for the first minute. If others had not warned me to be patient and continue watching, I would have bypassed the entire series. 

When I first heard the Gospel, it was not like either scenario. I was unimpressed. It was another myth, on par with the Greek and Roman gods. Thanks be to God that He continued to reach out and draw me to Him. Despite attending a Christian school with weekly chapel services and mandatory religious classes, none of it made an impression. 

I wonder if the Gospel was presented to me like the television series that captured my attention in the first minute, would I have accepted Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior many years earlier? Thanks be to God, that His ways are not my ways. Through a series of divine interventions, God prepared my heart to accept Him by faith in His perfect timing. 

For God says, “At just the right time, I heard you. On the day of salvation, I helped you.” Indeed, the “right time” is now. Today is the day of salvation. 

2 Corinthians 6:2 (NLT)

How did God capture my attention? God did not make me laugh when He drew me to Him. Instead, He brought me to tears and my knees by showing me my sinful nature. For many years, I attempted to live a good life by my efforts. God showed me that it was impossible to erase my sins and find forgiveness on my own. Only by confessing and repenting of sins and accepting Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior did I find forgiveness, salvation, and eternal life. 

Praise God for His grace and mercy!

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.