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Looking back now I realize that the summer of 1963 was a turning point in my spiritual life. Having been born-again as a teenager in the denomination in which I had been born and raised up, I gave myself to follow the Lord as best I knew how. By the summer of 1963 I was involved as the superintendent of the Sunday school, and was a leader of the youth groups. There was a genuine desire in me to be the best Christian that I could be. To me that meant reading the Bible, witnessing to others, and serving in our congregation. How I ended up at the edge of the lake at the Highland Lake Bible Conference can only be due to God's sovereignty. Two speakers shared the podium the week that I attended, and I did not know them or anyone else attending the conference. During the weekly activities I sat one afternoon on a bench overlooking the lake. Presently one of the speakers approached me and with a gentle greeting handed me a book which was to eventually change the direction of my life. The book was by Watchman Nee and was entitled The Normal Christian Life. As I read that book I immediately had the sense that I was touching a reality which I had not known before. The reading of this book stirred up in me a desire for more, and I went on to find other titles by this author (What Shall This Man Do?, and Sit, Walk, Stand). I remained in contact with the brother who had given me the book, because his own speaking and living were full of the Christ he was experiencing. I shared everything that I saw with the other young people who were seeking the Lord. Together we were pursuing to “know Him” and His will. Eventually through this brother we were brought into fellowship with Witness Lee who had been a coworker with Watchman Nee in China. What I found was not only an unveiling of the truths in the Word, but also a practical way to go on with the Lord in a corporate way via the local churches. Now 36 years later I am still growing in “the full knowledge of Him” (Ephesians 1:17), and am participating practically in the building up of the church, “which is His Body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all” (Ephesians 1:23). “Lord Jesus I love You, and the church for which You gave Yourself” (Ephesians 5:25). I know now that my personal salvation has to be seen in the light of the greater goal of the Lord's desire to have a bride for His satisfaction and rest. So in light of His need and desire I consecrate myself and my family to Him for the carrying out of His eternal purpose (Ephesians 3:11).
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