We don’t know how it happens, how someone’s life can change miraculously. At least, that’s what Jesus said in the Great Book, the Bible. The change referred to is the change of heart a person has upon realizing that the pathway he/she is following is a dead end. Once this realization dawns upon a person the desire grows from deep within to follow a new path which holds life and hope from the Creator.

This experience is indeed beyond human description because it is born from the Divine. Here is how Jesus tried to explain the great change to a man one night:

John 3:8 The wind blows where it will, and you hear the sound of it, but can not tell where it comes from, and where it goes: so it is with every one that is born of the Spirit.

Just as you cannot see the wind but have evidence that it is there when you hear it, see the trees swaying, or feel it on your face, so it is when the great change enters a person’s heart.  It goes beyond human understanding or detection but you know it has happened because you witness great life changes. I would like to share the story of such a person, such a change.

David was a young boy raised on the reservation. He had a family, brother, sisters, and friends, but David’s life was hard with few bright spots in his childhood. Because of physical abuse, the premature loss of both parents (his father died violently), being raised by his brother, himself a pre-teen child at the time, David admits that he had not known or understood love.

Entering adulthood, David was drawn to alcohol and became recognized as a drunkard.  At times, he would awaken outside, not aware of his actions. He had lost driving privileges, been in and out of hospitals with nothing to look forward to. People felt sorry for David and saw no hope for his future. He was at the bottom and, in the minds of many who knew him, destined to remain there facing an unhappy premature death.

Although people had given up on David, the Creator, who sees the heart and future of individuals, realized that David held a desire to reform and, at an opportune time, presented a vision of the new pathway to David bringing him to the crossroads of choice.

Armed only with hope in his heart David accepted the invitation of the Creator and began a life of faith and trust in One he could not see. As he read the stories about a loving Savior and talked with Him in prayer about his personal problems and desires, the Creator brought about the great change in the heart of David, the lonely alcoholic.     

People noticed the change in David’s life, as he desired to be among others enjoying the spiritual walk. He regained his driver’s license and bought a used car. He began steady work necessary to pay for the new house granted to him through the Nation. Joy sprang up in the once cold, stony, heart of David and for the first time, he knew what love was.

Those who witnessed the great change in David’s life wanted the life-changing joy for themselves. David and his older brother were baptized together. Another close friend soon followed and David is now church Head Deacon, attending all church functions as possible.  

We know that there are two spirits at work today, good and evil, but one can’t truly realize how different these spirits are until they witness the changing of the spirits in the life of a dedicated soul such as Brother David.

Bruce W. Wilkinson
Native Ministries Coordinator
New York Conference