In the late 1950s, a young singer came on the scene in Atlantic City. His career had taken off as he appeared on stage with some of the greatest performers of his day like   Dean Martin, Jerry Lewis, Jimmy Durante, and even Frank Sinatra. He seemed to have it all, fame, fortune, and a promising future as a top entertainer. Almost at the height of his success, everything began to unravel. Drugs and alcohol were destroying his life, and his wife and daughter left him. Even through he had grown up in a Christian home, and was the son of a preacher, he had rebelled against it all. Just as he was about to commit suicide and end his life, the hand of God reached down and touched his heart. He fell to his knees, accepted Jesus as his Savior, and completely turned his life around and started using his talents to serve the Lord and tell his story. He even produced a movie about how God had rescued him from the brink of death.

In the spring of 1974, this singer’s story would change my life forever. On a Sunday night, in a small church in Baltimore, MD, I watched a movie about the life of this night club star. I related to him because I was a musician, and I was also the son of a preacher. Even at the young age of nine, music already played a very important role in my life, and I had dreams of being a famous singer and traveling with a band. When the movie ended, I realized that a personal relationship with Jesus was missing from my own life. I knew I didn’t want to go down the path this singer had taken, and that I wanted to dedicate my talents to the Lord’s service. When the pastor gave an invitation for anyone to come, I went forward and gave my heart and life to Christ. I am so grateful that God didn’t have to save me out of that lifestyle, but He saved me from it.

Over the years, I’ve thought about that night, and occasionally I would hear about this star, who had been instrumental in my own salvation. I had hoped to one day meet him and tell him what his story had meant to me and how his life had been multiplied through my own ministry. Miraculously, a few years ago, I heard that he was going to be in concert at a church in our area. Twenty nine years after becoming a Christian, I was able, for the first time, to meet David Boyer in person. During the intermission of his performance, I made it a point to go and thank him and share with him the story of my conversion. He was thrilled to hear how God had used his life to impact mine. Later in the concert, I was honored when he surprisingly called Lydia and I up on stage to introduce us and insisted that I share my testimony.

We never know how what we might say or do can influence another person’s life and even provide them with what could be their last opportunity to come to Jesus. I grew up in a Christian home, and was in church literally every time the doors were open, but it took the reality of what God did in this one man's life to open my heart to the truth of my need for a Savior. The Bible challenges us to be ready in season and out of season to give testimony to what God has done for us both in word and deed. As followers of Christ, we must be continually surrendered to and led by the Holy Spirit so God can work His will and plans on earth through us.

It is likely that we will never know this side of heaven the real impact our lives have had on other people. Has someone in particular had an impact on your life? Why wait until you get to heaven? Why don’t you take time to let them know today?