Raven
I just heard an interesting story while at a Pastor's Policy Briefing Conference in the Sunshine state.
A business man who was selling to places such as Walmart felt led to go into the ministry. He left his job and began his Seminary training where he basically lost everything he had accumulated and had to move in with his in laws. They kept telling his wife to tell him to go and get a real job.
While training for the ministry he would get called to help a church with their youth group. He was still struggling in life and with his calling to follow the Lord.
One day he was assigned to be the last person at the church to meet anyone who had a need. He prayed that the Lord would not send anyone because he was really doubting and did not have anything to give.
The secretary buzzed him and said someone was wanting to see a minister. He felt let down by the Lord and went to see who it was. There in the lobby was a mother making a business deal over the phone letting off a string of expletives and saying she did not understand why she was wasting her time bringing her goth looking daughter there. He asked if he could help her. The mother said, "I do not know why I am here, because I was taking my daughter to have her committed in a mental ward. Maybe you can say whatever you have to say and help, but I really feel like I am wasting my time.
He asked the goth looking girl all in black with black makeup, hair and ring piercing all over her to please come with him. She did not move, so the mother cussed her out and told her to go with him.
When they got to the office he spoke to her and said, "I am really struggling with doubt and do not want to be here anymore then you. I need to ask you just one question, 'What is your name?'" She refused to answer. He said "that is all I am asking of you please just give me your name so we can finish this and you can go." She curse him and said "my name is Raven and I think you are a complete waste of my time."
He then said I am only going to share one thought of how to tell the difference between the different voices you hear in your head. The first is Satan who ultimately tell you you know good and you life is not worth living so kill yourself. The Bible says that the thief comes not but to kill, steal and destroy. The second voice is God's. He will tell you that he loves you and your life is worth everything and that He can change it into a happy one if you will accept the gift of His son who died for your sins and rose from the dead. The third voice is your own and your the one who will need to decide which voice you listen to. That is all I have to say. She got up and starting cussing and said I knew this would be a complete waste of time.
This sent him into a five month long depression questioning God and his calling. The Lord began to move in his life and in the youth of the church.
On a retreat they saw the power of God move in many of the youth who prayed to receive Christ and prayed into the morning. He sent them back to their cabin and told them they needed to sleep so they would be ready for the next days events.
A counselor came to ask him to meet a girl named Brenda. He knew her as a light brown haired girl who had been involved with the youth group. She had a part time job and sponsored eight of her friends to come to camp. Many accepted Christ that night. When he meet her she was crying. She asked him if he knew why she was crying. He said yes because God has really used you to see your friends come to find Jesus Christ as their Savior tonight. She said no, it was she could not believe how different her life was from last year to this year.
She asked him if he knew how different it was? He said, "No!" I only know your one of our key youth for the last eight months. She asked don't you recognize me? He said, No!
She said I am Raven. I was sent to a mental hospital and laying there in a room all by myself and I could hear the different voices. One was telling me I was no good and to end it all. The other told me that He loved me. I cried out Dear Jesus unless you help me and save me I will end it all and die. Jesus came into my heart and saved me and made me into a new person. That is why I am crying tonight. I just can not believe how different my life is tonight compared to a year ago. I am so thankful to God for His love.