This is my story of how I came to know God, and why I call myself a Christian today.
I was born into a family with fantastic parents, and a great brother. We grew up in inner city, Tempe in Sydney. Going to church each week was part and parcel of the family life and I have fond distant memories of church as a young child (I can even remember when I learnt a Bible verse – John 3:16 – off by heart as a kid!).
Moving back to the North Shore of Sydney upon my teenage years was interesting. Went to a great church called St. Clement’s in Mosman through youth group. But in these years I got a job, started hanging out with dudes who were more interested in parties, smoking bongs, and boozing. As many high schoolers do, I found this way of life much more interesting and cooler than youth group. Bad move. Booze and bongs led to parties. Parties led to girls. And rolling to parties and clubs led to punch-ups. Not surprisingly, this whole cycle was the downward spiral of events which no effort on my part could undo. In fact, I clearly remember one day lying on bed wondering how on earth I could give all this up, and start anew.
Months later, I gave my mother a lift home from work and out of nowhere I mentioned that I wanted to go to church. She was blown away in shock! We both forget to make plans, but that Sunday I picked her up from work again. The same thought dropped in my mind – I’ve got to go to church! Remembering that my mate Dan from high school became a Christian and kicked the gear, I decided that his church was the one I wanted to go to. And so we did.
Sitting up the back of the church, I still remember Dan’s face as he turned around and casually glanced towards the back of the auditorium. The sort of expression that says “what the heck is Earngey doing here!” We hung out each week for the next few weeks and he talked with me, and prayed for me.
Three weeks later, standing up the back of the church during the last song, four simple words hit me like a thunderbolt. “You are my child.” That’s what we were singing. That’s what hit my heart like a bolt from the blue. All I knew and learn as a child flooded back to me. God gave up his Son on the cross, so that I might become a son of His. Jesus died and rose again 2000 years ago with me in mind. God loved me that much. I knew in my heart that all my rebelling against Him was like throwing mud at His face. It was sin. But He dealt with it on the cross and wanted to forgive me now. I broke down in tears. I prayed. I repented. I became a Christian. And I knew I was a new man.
Initially my mates worried that I joined a cult. Why this change? Why this new behaviour? Why? And all I could say was that I’d become a Christian. They knew me – warts and all – and wondered how I could change. But as I explained, I realised what was true. I realised that this was the way of life. I realised that there was joy, meaning and freedom here. Not darkness, and pointless living. I had been given life. True life.
Dan and another mate Pete taught me baby-steps in what it means to be Christian. They faithfully opened the Bible and God spoke to me and showed me His way. There were times of stumbling, and many mistakes made, but just as God had forgiven my previous sins – I was amazed again and again at His mercy and forgiveness. This amazement produced a hunger in me for Him. So I searched the Scriptures, served in the church, shared my conversion experience with friends.
And almost ten years later here I am. By God’s grace He has grown me to be who I am. By His grace, He’ll keep growing me to be more like Jesus Christ. By His grace, I await the hope of the completed Kingdom where I will see Him clearly:
“For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” 1 Corinthians 13:12
Have you experienced a similar joy? If you haven’t come to know God, or what He’s done on the cross, then can I invite you to do so. Read the Gospel of Mark (great name and great book!) in the Bible. If you’ve got questions, send me an email – I’d love to get in touch.
If you know Jesus as your Lord and your Saviour – I am looking to spend everlasting days with you!
In the Lamb who was slain,
Mark Earngey
