This past week, I read/listened to two biographies. Both were fascinating. One was from the lead singer of a rock band I used to love, and the other was from missionary David Brainerd. The reason they impacted me so much is because when I was 16, I thought I wanted to be a rock-n-roll guitarist. Yet, in the same year . . . I got saved.

Everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. — Matthew 7:26

When this lead singer went to his first KISS concert in Canada, he called it “Being baptized by fire into rock-n-roll.” He knew that being a rock star was what he wanted to do with his life. The book was pretty much clean until he stated that line. Afterwards, it is a written account of pure debauchery. Every vile and evil thing that he did was laughingly justified by, “hey, it was the 80’s . . . it was a different time.”

I could not help but think about how my life could have been drastically different. The more concerts he went to, it propelled him further and further into that world. After being saved, the more concerts I went to, I’d feel more and more convicted that I didn’t belong in that world. I always felt God telling me, “This is not what I want for you, Adam.” What if I had gained the entire rock-n-roll world, but lost my soul?

Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. – Matthew 7:24

In stark contrast is the diary that David Brainerd kept in the 1700’s. Here is a man who struggled with knowing God and constantly fought sin and worldliness. So many things he said made me question my own relationship with the Lord and how lightly I too often esteem Him. David only lived 29 years, yet here I am 300 years later reading about him, learning from him, and desiring to hear the same words I’m sure he heard when he entered eternity.

All I can say is that the Lord is unbelievably good. The fact that He would rescue a teenager like He did me is nothing short of a miracle. I’m so thankful for the gospel message. I’m so thankful for forgiveness. I’m so thankful for men who truly gave their lives for Him and still motivate me to keep on keeping on.

Lord, I’m so grateful this morning. I’m also feeling that it just isn’t fair. It’s not fair that You change my life so much for the better . . . yet so many don’t get to experience living for You. Do what You did for me, Lord! Convict the hearts and souls of men and women! Save them! There is no salvation apart from You! Send your conviction and save many of the rock stars now in the twilight of their lives! Answer the prayers I pray when I get the chance to attend the concerts now. Let them know that there is mercy, grace, and forgiveness at the cross. Use them to lead more people to You in a year than people they have led away from You in decades. You are the author of salvation, nothing is too hard for You. There is and never will be another like You, Lord! I love You! Make my life count. Please make my life count.