A Life Changing Epiphany

Most everyone has had an epiphany that has altered their thinking or direction in life.  Most have many epiphanies in a lifetime.  An epiphany is defined (in part) by Webster as:

(1): a usually sudden manifestation or perception of the essential nature or meaning of something (2): an intuitive grasp of reality through something (as an event) usually simple and striking (3): an illuminating discovery, realization, or disclosure, b : a revealing scene or moment

Television advertisements are always giving testimonials about how a new drug, or new exercise tool, or a new financial system, or a book or DVD with a new system of thinking and/or living has changed the lives of those who have used this product.  “And for four easy payments of $29.99 your life can be…”

For some an epiphany may be when they move out on their own and feel the freedom of living life as an adult.  Then comes the epiphany of being responsible for living life on their own, and paying their own bills, and mom, dad and home don’t seem so bad after all.

For others it may be the epiphany of realizing you have met the person you want to spend the rest of your life with.  You now understand what is meant by the words, “I love you.”  For some who have experienced this epiphany, another epiphany may come after decades of marriage, when you realize that now, after all those years, you have a much deeper understanding of love than you did at the first epiphany, and it fills your heart with a wondrous feeling about life and love and the goodness of God’s blessings.  And now you understand just a little bit more about the love Jesus has for His bride—the church.

Many experience an epiphany when they make the decision to follow in the steps of Jesus Christ with a true heart, in faith, repentance, confession and baptism.  What a relief it is to be freed from sin and from the bondage of Satan, and to be truly free in Jesus Christ (John 8:31-32).  Then, after decades of growing in grace, knowledge and faith in Jesus Christ, realizing that way back in the beginning of your life as a Christian, you now have a much greater understanding and much better relationship with your Father in heaven and with your brother Jesus Christ.

Fulton Smith said that he had an epiphany when he began to be honest with himself.  The life he had been living was not bringing him the satisfaction, the contentment he desired.  And, being honest with himself, he saw that what he was doing was causing heartache to those he loved, as well as bringing harm to himself.  In his epiphany of being honest with himself he decided to search for the truth that would change his life from the dissatisfaction and discontentment he had been experiencing to that which would bring about what he truly desired.  That is when he discovered that this could only be attained in a life given to God in faith and honesty.  Fulton is now a faithful preacher of the gospel in South Carolina.  And…, he is a happy man.

Being honest with one’s own self can be a real epiphany, a life changing event.  James said, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (James 1:22).  Paul experienced that epiphany when he met Jesus on the road to Damascus in Acts 9.  His life changed from being a persecutor of Christ and His church, to being a faith follower of Jesus Christ.  Paul could not deny the truth that was before him.

What epiphany has changed your life?  What is changing your life?