Healthy Living

---

Salvation Can Wait…Or Can It?
© 2005
by

Stephen A. Peterson


Michelle was born on March 15, 1980 in Tulsa, Oklahoma to two loving parents who taught her about God and His unconditional love for her. In her 5th year of life, God healed Michelle her after a car nearly ended her life as she darted across a seldom traveled street chasing a soccer ball. Both Michelle’s parents and her 11 year old brother thanked God for sparing her life.

As Michelle grew older, she met Karen, Phyllis and Oliva Christian girls all who revealed more about Jesus Christ to her. All of these friends showed Michelle the difference between what is right and what is wrong.

“Why are you girls committed to Jesus Christ?” asked Michelle.

“Because Jesus loves me and He loves you, too, Michelle,” said Oliva.

“Oh, I don’t know. I guess He does, but I want to have some fun in life. I’ll wait until I’m a little older then I’ll come to Jesus. I’ve got time,” said Michelle.

Without telling her parents, Michelle began abusing alcohol to the point that she became intoxicated on five separate occasions. On one of these occasions, Michelle, now 15 years old, took her parents car and injured a man as he crossed a street. Although her acts caused her parents and her victim serious pain and suffering, she recognized through Karen that Jesus will pull her through this difficult period. Michelle thanked Karen and the Lord for their help. In spite of this Michelle decided that establishing a relationship with Jesus Christ was too soon. “I’ve got time to come to Jesus. When that time comes, I’ll be ready, Karen. You’ll see!”

Soon Michelle met Shaun. Just after her 16th birthday. Just after her 16th birthday Michelle learned that she was pregnant. Frightened, depressed and uncertain of her and her child’s future, Michelle cried out to God for guidance and help. Although hurt and saddened, God moved Michelle’s parents to compassion, mercy and forgiveness of her bad judgment. Michelle thought that she had time to come to Jesus to ask for His forgiveness, unconditional love and compassion.

As her son grew, Michelle realized she needed help. She cried out for a husband. Soon Anthony, a church attending Christian, came into her life. Within a year after meeting Anthony, they were married. Michelle thanked God for Anthony who lovingly cared for her and her son. However, when Anthony invited Michelle to accept Jesus Christ, she thought about it but said, “I’ve got time to come to Jesus. I’m young.”

On a summer afternoon, two police officers came to Michelle’s house to inform her that her husband, Anthony, was killed in an accident on his way to work. Michelle cried out the Lord to ask “why”. Within a week after Anthony’s death, her household was nearly without food. “Lord, I have no food in my house. My children are so hungry. Please, Lord, help me, please!” Within an hour of her prayer, member of Anthony’s church community rang her doorbell. Entering her home was her old friends Phyllis, Karen and Oliva with enough food from the church to last her a month. They also had a job offer from a local business and child care for her children. Michelle thanked the Lord. Later that evening Karen returned to Michelle’s house to offer her an invitation to return to their church family.

“I’ve got to work to support my children. God knows I love Him. I can’t right now. I’ve got time to come to Jesus. I’m still real young.”

At 23 years old, Michelle learned that she had cervical cancer. Once again, she cried to the Lord. When she went to her doctor, the doctor reported that her cancer had miraculously gone into remission. The doctor reported that she had never seen a cancer of this nature go into remission in this manner. Michelle was elated with the news.

To celebrate her healing, Michelle threw a party inviting her friends and people she knew at her place of employment. As far as Michelle was concerned all was well. The party was big and loud with so many of her friend present. At 11 o’clock in the evening everyone had left her home. Now very tired, Michelle went to bed satisfied that the evening went well.

“Hi, Michelle.”

“Who are you?” asked Michelle.

“You don’t know? You’ve called on Me on numerous occasions.”

“Lord?”

“I don’t know your voice,” said Michelle.

“Oh, yes you do. I’m Lucifer. You listened to me every time Jesus got you through your difficulties. You even ignored His messengers. I find that to be extraordinary.”

“What are you talking about?”

“Michelle, who do you think gave you the idea to put off listening to those, ugh, angels? Me!”

“You’re not…”

“Oh, but I am. Every time I came to get you Jesus said “no” and He sent His messengers to you to follow Him. And you did not.”

“What messengers did the Lord send?”

“Are you blind? To begin with, you were given two Godly parents, three Godly friends and a Godly husband. They all told you about Jesus not just once but time and time again. You never listened to any of them. You’re favorite statement was, ‘I’ve got time. I’m young.’ But I made you think you had time because you were young. You see, Michelle, I’m sneaky, cunning and the best liar of ALL time. No one is better than I am. He! He! He! Now your time is up. It’s over! You’re mine now! Welcome to my house—Hell!”

Michelle died before her 25th birthday in her sleep. Very young by most people’s standards. No matter who you are and how young you believe you are, your time could end this very moment. Every second, every minute, every hour there’s eternity in it! Are you certain about your tomorrow? If not, why not! Will you say, “I’m young, I’ve got time!” REALLY!

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE