Connecting During DeploymentSample

My Eyes Were Opened

You have heard it called many things:

“It was an ‘aha’ moment.”

“It all came together.”

“Something clicked.”

“My eyes were opened.”

“The light bulb came on.”

In Christian experience, these statements refer to a time when a key element sinks into one’s thoughts and truth makes sense—perhaps for the first time.

For many of us, this happens at some point when we are considering the claims of Christ.

My spirit awakened during one of my husband’s many deployments. In that time of loneliness my thoughts had turned to spiritual matters. What was life about? Something seemed to be missing, but I didn’t know what it was. What did I really believe in? 

One night I attended a concert by a little Christian band traveling around the country in a raggedy old school bus. That night they sang and spoke of God’s truth—and it seemed like it was directly aimed at me. They explained the gospel, and because the Holy Spirit was at work in my heart, I seemed to hear it for the first time. The light bulb came on! 

One of the band members shared that we are all sinners, and so we need a Savior. That Savior is Jesus Christ, the very Son of God, who loves us so much that He bore our sins on the cross so that we might be saved and spend eternity with God in heaven. 

The band member asked us to make a decision—to repent and to trust our lives to Christ. And that was the decision I made—to commit my life to Jesus as Lord and Savior. I’ve had peace ever since. I was indeed born again, a new creation in Christ. It was just like that.

Others cannot point to a single moment of revelation like I had. Their experience of surrender and salvation has been more gradual. Either way, God is at work to touch hearts and change lives—forever.

A profound truth, a simple turning, a changed life. I am eternally grateful for that faithful little traveling band, and for God’s patience with me then . . . and since.

1. Why is it that a time of loneliness during deployment can lead you to listen more closely to God?

2. If you have not experienced a time of confession of your sin and your need for a Savior, do it now. Then share that decision with your spouse.

If you want to experience marriage the way God designed it, you need a relationship with Christ. Read “The Secret to Building a Great Marriage and Family.”