Truly, life began for me at age 7, when Christ rescued me to Himself.
Baptized into a local faith family, God then led me down a path of discovery, both of myself (that corruption from which I had been born and the redemption of which Christ had made new (2 Cor 5:17), and into a realm where even pain would have purpose.
The eldest of 2, later 3 boys, from my early years, in many ways I feel my journey to know Jesus better has been marked by navigation between extremes: delight and disillusionment, faith and fantasy, unwavering and unsure, absolute and ambiguous, belief and betrayal, stable and shaken. In it all, God has consistently proven Himself to be my “ever-present help in times of trouble” (Ps. 46:1).
Likewise, music (which I believe originates with God), both the appreciation for and giftings in, has also been foundationally instrumental for spiritual growth in me, from a very early age through today. Whether it was in traditional hymns sung on Sunday, that with which my mother taught in church choir, those classical works assigned me to sing or practice on violin and piano, popular tunes with well-known lyrics (rock or easy-listening), jazz or in the original pieces I penned, my heart has been helped in musical moments of joy, solace, conviction, affirmation, satisfaction and comfort.
Along the way, God allowed me to integrate other fringe facets from my childhood interests and hobbies (fun with magic tricks, a fascination with story-telling and electronic media) into a portfolio of tools I still enjoy utilizing, to assist in illustrating important, complex concepts, especially as it relates to Gospel truth, and the Spirit of God in Christ “who works [in us] both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Phil 2:13).
Joining me on this journey, over the years, is a strong line of mentors and ministry partnerships (my mom and grandmother, Pastors, school educators and administrators, violin and choral instructors, Sunday school teachers, teenage friendships, my first boss, selected co-workers, a band of faith brothers, and of course, my beautiful bride). Past and present, these voices serve to affirm God’s call in me, in trust and accountability, helping to shape the integrity my spirit is moved to desire (2 Tim. 2:15).
II have learned not only that I, a natural enemy of God, have been saved by God in Christ from eternal separation from Him, but that now, having been made whole by Jesus’ death, redeemed to eternal life in His resurrection, God’s rescue of me to Himself means that my heart is free to choose life over sin (Rom. 5:8-11). I seek now not only to know God’s words, but to hear His Word speak, and to teach others (beginning with our beautiful children, Micah and Mikayla) how they, too, can experience the voice and presence of Jesus LIVE and in Person, as well (John 10:27, Jer. 33:3).
©2016 Franklin T King