Fifty-some years ago there were "Christian" drive-ins in Columbus, Ohio. You could take the family to see a Christian movie, but in the "drive-in" mode, in-car speaker and all. My wife and I decided to check it out one night. The Billy Graham film Shadow of the Boomerang was showing.
In every Billy Graham movie, Billy himself shows up in a filmed crusade.
Audiences actually get to hear a Gospel message from the great evangelist. And
yes, I still consider him to be a great one, especially because of his early
message and early methods. We weep at the later compromises with Rome etc, but
we do not take away from how the Gospel has been spread.
At any rate, in those earlier days of my walk, I was not acquainted with all
the subtleties of Graham associations. All I knew was that he turned me on to
God when I heard him. I memorized his sermons, read his books, listened weekly
to his radio program. His star was a guide to a young man with very few stars
to follow.
This night was to be a little different though. I had been a seeker for many
years by now. I had actually been ordained to the ministry of my denomination
and had taken mission trips with them. I was considered a potential leader in
that group. But inside I still struggled when it came to that personal
knowledge on the experience level. So many of my friends talked glowingly of
bona fide conversion moments, and I desired one of my own.
I wasn't looking for one that night. Just wanted something interesting to do
with my wife, and a night out watching a Graham film in this unique setting
seemed to fill the bill.
The story line was excellent. The acting impressed me. But when Billy
started preaching repentance that night, something touched me deep inside. It
seems as though I finally "got it." I had believed the theology for
some time, but it began to take flesh and blood form that night. My own flesh
and blood.
I was surprised at the suddenness and depth of the feelings that arose. I
truly WAS sorry for my sin. I really DID know that I had offended God, and
really regretted it. I began to cry and cry and cry some more. My wife didn't
know exactly what to think, but tried to support me the best way she could.
After a long session of tears, another emotion began to surface: pure joy. I
was so happy I couldn't stand it! Something inside kept saying, "This is
it!" That which I had sought for so long was suddenly here. With
each burst of laughter came another one. I seemed totally out of control.
Somewhere in the midst of all this strangeness, God gave me the presence of
mind to call a preacher friend of mine, and ask him to meet me at the Scioto
River. I wanted a "same hour of the night" experience. And I wasn't
being baptized because someone demanded it.I wasn't being baptized to score
points with a church or even with God. I greatly desired baptism to express
outwardly what was happening inwardly. No theology attached, though I can
rattle it off now. Just, "Get me to the water!"
Somehow I managed to drive to the river without an accident. I have never
been drunk before, but I imagine this is what it is like. Several friends met
me, rejoiced with me, and the preacher put me under the water.
That was my third "baptism". Most people would say it was my
first. But who's counting? What matters is the joy unspeakable and full of
glory available to His children!
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