By Harold Keller / L’Observateur / September 16, 1998

Sunday afternoon, as I was dozing in my chair after just reading the newspaper, the phone rang and startled me. The person on the other endasked, with a pleasant and cheerful voice, “How are you, Brother Keller?” Before I could answer, he said, “Guess who this is?” I paused for a moment and then said, “Talk some more.” He laughed and said a few wordsand then I said, “Jesse Currin!” “That’s right, brother,” he replied. “Youdidn’t forget.” Jesse was calling from Jacksonville, Fla.I first met Jesse at a drug rehabilitation center two and a half years ago.

After I gave my testimony that night, the group, as usual, formed a circle, held hands, and was getting ready to recite “The Lord’s Prayer.” Jesseinterpreted before we started praying and said, “The Holy Spirit is telling me to sing The Lord’s Prayer.” I, sarcastically, asked, “Can you sing?”Jesse replied, “If I couldn’t sing, the Holy Spirit wouldn’t tell me to sing.”The men laughed, as I did, and with the group’s permission, Jesse began singing the prayer.

Jesse sang that song, as I’ve never before heard it sung. What a voice! Themen clapped and surrounded Jesse, thanking him for sharing with them his gift from God, which was a beautiful voice. Jesse used his gift, not only toglorify God, but also to bless many men.

During the next three weeks, Jesse and I became friends. When his 28 dayswere about over and he was completing the program, he shared with me that he didn’t know where to go or what to do. I told him about “TeenChallenge,” a Christian program for people who wanted to serve God. Afew days later, he agreed to go.

Jesse didn’t have the money for transportation so a local church purchased his ticket to Hot Springs, Ark. Jesse stayed there eight months and thenwent to an advanced program of “Teen Challenge” in Cape Girardeau, Mo.,where he spent the next 10 months. He wrote to me twice during thattime.

Sunday, when Jesse called, he told me that he had been in Jacksonville for a year and that he would complete the 12-month training program for men who had a desire to work as a counselor in one of the 97 “Teen Challenge” centers throughout the United States.

Jesse was so excited! “Brother Keller,” he said, “I’m reminded of what the Bible says in Romans 8:28,” and he quoted: “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” He added, “If I had 1,000 tongues, I could nevertell all that God has done for me.” It’s only the beginning. I’m on a journeyand I can’t look back.” He then referred to Luke 9:62: “…No one, having puthis hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” I hadto hear that because I have a tendency to look back.

As we came to the end of our conversation, he said, “Be sure and tell Ms.

Jeanne hello for me and that I love her. She’s like my mama.” “Yes,” hesaid, “tell my mama hello. I still have the Bible she gave me and regularlyread the encouraging words she wrote in it.”After we hung up, I was reminded that the greatest miracle is a changed life. Jesse is a miracle! I thank God that He allowed us to cross pathsduring this earthly walk on our journey to eternity!

Harold Keller is a regular columnist for L’Observateur.

Copyright © 1998, Wick Communications, Inc.

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