My Journey Home
By John F. Imler
 
On March 15, 2008, I ventured into our home library. My eyes focused on two books that intrigued me. They were both by Lee Strobel. I picked one and returned to my favorite chair.
As I read the Introduction of The Case for Christ, I thought I’ve been there, as he recounted his own fears when his wife had told him of her conversion. My wife Ruth’s relationship with Christ bugged me.
I had been a pastor for ten years, but since leaving the church I had wrestled with the same questions as the author. Although I had never denied the existence of God, I had taken a position that one could not really know for sure about a lot of things in the Bible or that I had been taught in my younger years. I could hardly put the book down.
Last September we began attending a church where we found a wonderful pastor and congregation. On Sunday the pastor asked me, “How are you doing? I was praying for you last night.” I told him that I was reading this book but was having a struggle with accepting the fact that God would forgive me after the way I had been living. His reply was, “He will, because He is a merciful God.”
I had shared with the pastor a little about my struggles, and he had counseled and prayed with me. On several occasions, he has told me he was continuing to pray for me.
On Tuesday, March 18, I finished the book. As I sat in my chair, I thought about what I had read, about how the author’s life had been affected, and about my pastor’s words “He is a merciful God.” I heard God’s voice say, John, where art thou? I answered, I’m here, God. With tears running down my face, I asked God’s forgiveness for my wasted years. I cannot explain it, but a peace came to my heart and mind. My struggle to once again find my faith was over. Yes, Jesus Christ is the answer, and He is now my answer.
Ruth’s birthday was a few days away. She said I could not have given her a better birthday present than my recommitment to Jesus Christ. I will never take my eyes off of HIM again. I could hardly wait to read the second book, The Case for Faith.
God brought to my mind a tree farm I had seen in the middle of the California desert. He seemed to be saying, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV).
God has brought me back from the devil’s captivity. Oh, that I may now serve Him fully for the rest of the days He gives me.
 
 
 






John F. Imler 



jimler@surewest.net 



7513 Woodduck Lane 



Citrus Heights, CA 95621 



916-722-3526