Maeburl Tincher
From a very young age, I knew that the big Bible – which sat on mama’s coffee table – held the secrets of life.
Even before I could read, I remember thinking that if I could learn what was in that book, I would never want to know anything else.
It is often thought that 12 is the age of accountability. Jesus was around that age when he was found teaching the elders in the temple and tending to his “Father's business.”
It was also the age of awareness for me. I knew I needed salvation so I made my way forward with some other children who were attending a revival.
My prayer was genuine but the thought occurred to me that those in the pews behind me would have no way of knowing what sincerity was. So I decided to stand to my feet, jump up and down and shout a few times. As the years passed, my spiritual growth stagnated – but the Lord’s pursuit of me did not. One evening in Seth, W. Va., a young evangelist preached the fury and glory of Christ’s return so plainly that I could almost see King Jesus riding out of heaven on a white stallion. I longed for what he had – but pride stood in the way, and I resisted the drawing of the Holy Spirit.
After moving back to Robbinsville, my young daughter became very ill and had to be hospitalized. I promised the Lord if He would let her live, I would attend church.
The following Sunday, I made my way back to Bear Creek Church. Home of the original altar of repentance. But still in a state of self will, I decided to leave after Sunday School, when a Godly woman named Bill Allen compelled me to stay. My young son had been saved in Sunday School and there was a sense of urgency and compassion in her voice, so I begrudgingly agreed.
Sitting in the service, the Lord spoke to me. He plainly said, “Today is the day and you need to change.”
With a subtle resistance I continued to make excuses, even doubting my son’s understanding of salvation.
In that moment, He said, “If you stand in his way, I will kill you.”
The reverential fear of God flooded my soul. A sonic boom could not have drowned out his voice or distorted his message. In an instant, I completely surrendered and was completely transformed. His Love flooded my soul.
Stepping outside, a supernatural understanding settled over me. I was in this world, but no longer a part of it. I had come full circle. The age of awareness had become the age of accountability, service and devotion.
Maeburl Tincher writes a monthly column for The Graham Star. She is a native of the Jack Branch community.