“This is my command--be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT)
In my early years, I was a nightclub performer
My nights were filled with loud music, smoke filled rooms, alcohol and much of the negatives that went along with the lifestyle. Because I got so many free drinks while playing music, I drank too much and eventually developed a chemical dependency. I became an alcoholic! My life was a mess! It was only through the grace of God that I “accidentally” discovered the answer one evening. While partying and drinking with some friends I found a small gospel pamphlet in a glove compartment while looking for matches to light a cigarette. The words in the little booklet explained how Jesus had died for our sins and it explained how to pray a simple prayer of faith to receive Jesus. And I did. And it worked!
My life was instantly and dramatically changed!
I eventually went into full time ministry, began attending Bible college, married a Christian woman, and started a family.
Several years later we were on vacation in Los Angeles and I decided to stop and visit a former nightclub friend who was still in the business. I was hoping that I might get an opportunity to share Christ with them.
They were very happy to see me and invited us to go see them perform that evening, which happened to be the very nightclub where I had last performed!
I did not want to go! But, I didn’t want to sound rude
So, instead of turning them down flat when they invited us, I turned to my beautiful wife, Susan, and said “what do you want to do, honey?”, believing sincerely that she would say “no” because she had never been inside any place that served liquor.
To my complete shock, she said, “Okay, dear, whatever you want to do.”
I was flabbergasted but tried not to show it! They insisted that we ride with them because it “made sense to take just one car”. But, it also meant that we would be stuck in a nightclub for the entire evening!
My fears were realized!
When we arrived at the club, it was exactly how I remembered and feared it would be! Loud music, “colorful” language, smoke-filled room, dancing and booze!
I was numb and didn’t know what to do
As the evening went by, I sat there feeling completely defeated! Everything that I had left behind was once again all around me! And, I had brought my young, innocent, wife into it! I felt terrible!
I wanted Susan to forgive me!
About halfway through the terrible evening, I leaned over and spoke softly into Susan’s ear. I said, “Honey, can you ever forgive me for bringing you to a place like this?” And, she replied just loud enough for only me to hear what she said, “Have you forgotten who we are in Jesus?”
Gentle words made a powerful difference!
I had forgotten! But now her gentle words had reminded me of God’s promise, “Be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NLT).”
Suddenly I felt different
I felt a renewed confidence. It didn’t matter where we found ourselves to be that evening, the promise of God’s presence, and “who we are in Jesus”, was true! And as soon as I realized that truth, everything changed for me for the rest of the evening! Even though everything around us remained exactly the same, it was no longer a problem.
I felt empowered!
In fact, I was now able to share freely with people around me about my changed life, how it had happened, about Jesus, and what I was now doing in ministry among youth! The rest of the evening turned into a wonderful, unexpected, sharing opportunity! And all because I was reminded of God’s wonderful promise, “The LORD your God is with you wherever you go”.
