My Personal Salvation Story
I went to church all my life, so I heard the scriptures and Bible stories, but it was like receiving thousands of pieces of a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the front of the box to know how the pieces should fit together. As a result, I didn’t see how Jesus fit into my life, so I spent most of my adult life trying to make my life fit together without Him. I was successful from the world’s point of view, but there was something missing in my life, so I tried to fill the void with alcohol and relationships.
At the age of 37, after another failed relationship, I got drunk and angry with God because my life was not going the way I wanted. So, I screamed at God and said, “I give up! Do what YOU want with me, because what I’m doing isn’t working.” That was all He needed — an open door to my heart. I passed out and had a dream about being in a garden with the most beautiful flowers and plants I had ever seen. It was so peaceful. When I woke up, I knew something was different and I confessed that I had surrendered my life to Jesus. That was decades ago and my life has gotten better and better. Sure, I still have problems, but I know that Jesus is always going to get me through and work something good out of every bad situation.
After starting my personal relationship with Jesus, I had a desire to read the Bible, but I was very confused and overwhelmed. I tried reading some other books that helped explain the Bible, but most of those were longer and more complex than the Bible! Frustrated and confused, I started summarizing the Bible for myself and during that process, God revealed to me that the Bible truly is like a jigsaw puzzle…all the pieces connect.
Just as there are pieces in every jigsaw puzzle with unique features that help reveal the heart of the picture on the front of the puzzle box, there are 7 key pieces that reveal the heart of the Bible and the love of God. These 7 key pieces will give you an overview of the entire Bible, so you can read the Bible knowing how the pieces fit together. I pray this overview encourages you to read the Bible and get to know Jesus better.