Faith Stories: Charley Jessen, Jr.

From the beginning until just recently, my life ran in direct opposition of God’s will for me.  I was rebellious, arrogant, self serving…well I was hopelessly lost, wrapped up in a world I had given myself over to.

My childhood and teen years weren’t easy.  I was forced to grow up quick and deal with the ugliness that this world has to offer at an early age.  My rebellion and despair were seated deep within, and I made it my life’s work to live them out.

Although exposed to God I wanted nothing to do with a relationship with Him.  Religion was my game - a few years of parochial school, light a few candles, serve some wine and bread, all of course culminating in confirmation.  Checked everything off the to-do list, see you at church - maybe on Easter, but definitely on Christmas… unless I have something more important to do. 

My adult life could be compared to a tornado, often touching down unannounced, destroying everything in its path, without regard to what it left behind.  I had no regard for my actions or the consequences they had.

A couple of years ago it was just another pathetic night, me stumbling around lost.  I had no hope and wanted no future.  All I had was pain in my soul and a lifetime of regret.  I don’t know why, but I prayed to God for help that night.  Forty years of garbage and I finally noticed a smell.  I’m not stupid… just hard headed.

God answered my prayer, but believe me, not the way I planned or wanted.  I wanted smooth and easy. Instead, God put Denny in my life.  Just kidding, Denny.  You are truly a blessing and I love you.  Denny exposed me to the Truth.  He shared the Good News of Jesus Christ with me by word and deed.  He opened up his life to me and shared all that God has given him.

The turning point in my life happened shortly after Denny and I went to a movie called “The Passion” – great movie – I’ve read the book, though, and it is much better.  Although I wear glasses I didn’t realize how bad my sight truly was.  God took my blindfold off that night, and I saw my sin for the first time.

In the movie, when He was being whipped, it brought to life the times I lashed out, hurting people.  As the flesh was being ripped from Him, I was reminded of a particular sin that tore my dad and I apart – a wound that never healed.  Tears of regret started to flow.  Feelings of shame overwhelmed me as I watched Him carry that cross.  My life was spent on myself. I focused on my wants caring little of anyone else.  I wouldn’t cross the street for you if there wasn’t something in it for me.  I’m not sure if I ever freely gave of myself.  As He hung there in agony, eventually dying,  the true consequences of sin became very clear.  Suffering and death!

Houston, we have a problem!  I had a problem.  I was panicked.  I knew I was going to hell, so I had to figure a way out.  You’re thinking, boy this guy is stupid - doesn’t he get it?  I wasn’t stupid.  I was just hard-hearted.  God didn’t gently woo me – He yelled loud enough for me to hear. 

Finally, I got to the point of surrender; finally I saw the only way.

When I got home that night, I grabbed a tract Denny had given me some time ago and fell to my knees.  I confessed to God that I was a sinner deserving of judgment.  The Bible tells us in Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”.  In Romans 6:23, the Lord says that “the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”.  I realized that Christ died for my sins and that God raised Him from the dead as it says in Romans 10:9.  Finally, I asked Christ to be my Lord and Savior.  John 1:12 states “as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His Name.”

When I finished praying I got up not knowing what to expect; there were no bright lights or doves flying around.  Little did I know there was much rejoicing going on in heaven.  I did feel this great relief and release – sleep was very sweet that night.

My walk had begun.  2 Corinthians 5:17 speaks of my wonderful beginning.  “Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come.”  From the beginning God gave me a passion to know Him, to seek Him – it was a fire burning inside of me.  The great thing was God wanted to reveal Himself to me.  He desired a relationship with me.

How do you have a relationship with someone if you don’t know them?  God knows me; Psalm 139 makes that unmistakably clear.  But I, on the other hand, knew nothing of God, just opinions I had wrongly formed.  In front of you is another passion of mine…it’s called the Bible and that, my friends, was the answer to my question.  The Bible, is the very breath of God.  He gave me it so that I might know Him, obey Him, live holy and have abundant life.  It equips us for everything!

The Bible is the main way God communicates with us.  One of the first things God told me was to forgive others as you have been forgiven…What?  That can’t be right - do you know how much I’ve been wronged?  Jesus spoke to my heart - "So you know how much you’ve wronged Me?"  When I obeyed this command it freed me from chains that held me in bondage for years.  God’s Word unlocks the shackles that hold us captive.  Jesus said in John 8:31-32, “if you continue in My Word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the Truth and the Truth will make you free.”

There is no greater joy than knowing God and walking in His ways.  He has so richly blessed me; the relationships He has restored and the new family He has given me to be a part of – riches beyond compare!  I deserve nothing, and yet He has given me everything I could ever need. 

Everyone out there is pretty familiar with this part of the Bible,  “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”  John 3:16.  Do you?  Do you believe in Him or are you looking for another  way?  Jesus Himself said in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” 

You know the greatest gift I’ve been given?  Eternal life with God.  See, our souls are eternal; what we have for these few years on earth is fleeting - it is a vapor.  I’m not a math major, but eternity is like forever – without end.  The choices we make now effect our eternity.  Our sin has put us on course for an eternity in hell.  There is only one Name under heaven that can change that course, and that name is Jesus.  If you never have, I’m pleading with you now to call out to Him, believe in Him, receive Him as your Lord and Savior.  I don’t know why God gave me 40 years to make this choice.  I do know, however, that today is the day for salvation; now is the appointed time, and that tomorrow is not guaranteed. If you made a decision for Christ for the first time, please tell someone. You are part of the family, and we want to welcome you.  I’m going to keep praying for those of you who didn’t make that choice because I know God answers prayer, and I’ve been where you’re at. I just want you to be where I’m going.

Oh yeah, I’ve told you all about myself, but I haven’t told you who I am.  My name is Charley Dan Jessen, Jr. and I am a child of God.  I have been given that right through the sacrifice of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.