Alfred had always been a good man by worldly standards. He was respected in his community and worked hard to provide for his family. But deep inside, his faith was lukewarm. He attended church sporadically, prayed occasionally, and thought little about eternity. Life was busy, and God, though acknowledged, was not at the center.
One cold autumn evening, Alfred’s life changed forever. On his way home from work, he stopped by a corner store. As he walked out, a commotion erupted. A masked man burst into the store, waving a gun and demanding cash. Alfred froze as fear gripped him. Then, in a chaotic turn, the man turned his weapon toward Alfred.
The sound of the gunshot echoed, and Alfred collapsed to the ground, clutching his chest. The world around him blurred. Darkness crept in as he bled out, the pain unbearable. Amid the chaos, Alfred cried out, “God, help me! Don’t let me die like this!”
When paramedics arrived, they found him barely clinging to life. Rushed to the hospital, Alfred’s condition was dire. In the operating room, doctors fought to save him, but his heart stopped. For several long minutes, Alfred was clinically dead.
A Glimpse of Eternity
During those moments, Alfred had a vision that shook him to the core. He found himself in a vast, dark void filled with a crushing weight of despair. He felt exposed, unworthy, and overwhelmed by a sense of separation from God. He realized the life he had lived—though respectable by human standards—was devoid of true purpose and devotion to Christ.
Then, a light pierced the darkness. It grew brighter and warmer until it surrounded him completely. Alfred saw Jesus, His face radiating love and compassion. The Lord spoke to him, saying, “Alfred, you have lived as though you knew Me, but your heart has been far from Me. I am giving you a second chance—not because of your deeds, but because of My mercy. Go back. Surrender your life fully to Me and tell others of My saving grace.”
The Miracle
Alfred woke up in the ICU, gasping for breath. Against all odds, he had survived. The doctors were astounded, calling his recovery nothing short of a miracle. But Alfred knew the truth—God had given him a new lease on life, not just to live, but to live for Him.
His recovery was slow, but it became a season of transformation. Alfred dove into the Word of God, devouring Scripture with a hunger he had never known. He prayed fervently, asking God to use his life for His glory. Alfred began to see his miraculous survival as a call to action.
A Life of Purpose
As Alfred healed, he began sharing his testimony. He told everyone he met about how God had pulled him from the brink of death, not just physically but spiritually. His story resonated deeply, inspiring many to reevaluate their own faith. He preached not just about God’s power to heal the body, but His ability to heal the soul.
Alfred also sought out the man who had shot him. After months of searching, he found him in prison. With trembling hands, Alfred forgave him. He shared the gospel, telling the man that no sin was too great for Jesus to forgive. Tears streamed down the man's face as he accepted Christ as his Savior.
Alfred’s life became a living testimony of God’s grace and power. He often ended his story with a challenge: “Don’t wait for a bullet to wake you up to the truth. Jesus is calling you now. Surrender your life to Him today, fully and completely. He loves you and has a purpose for your life. Go and spread the gospel. Time is short, and the world desperately needs the hope only Christ can give.”
His story is a reminder that no one is beyond redemption and that every breath we take is an opportunity to live for God’s glory. Will you answer the call? Will you let your life be a beacon of hope in a broken world? The choice is yours, and the time is now.
