¡ a i l
was
my
life
by Howard O. Jones
I c o u l d n o t believe my ears. Wanda, the one girl in the world I wanted to marry, had refused me! Me, a rising young musician in a popular dance band, with a bright future ahead. The jazz world had me in its grip. My father was a lover of music and encouraged my brother and me to play musical instruments for our selves. I chose the clarinet; my broth er the trumpet. While in high school we were invited to join a local dance band. My grandmother had bought me a saxophone and before long I was the first saxophonist in this newly formed orchestra. Soon we were play ing for dances and parties. I was thrilled, for I had always dreamed of some day being a great orchestra leader. We filled more and more im portant engagements and were now in the public eye, delighted with the press reports. One weekend when we were away, my girl friend, Wanda, took Christ as her Saviour. This was an answer to the prayers of her mother who, before dying, had prayed for Wanda’s salva
tion. I was glad for her testimony, for I felt that a little religion never hurt anyone. I had mine, and now she had hers. But it wasn’t long before I found out that Wanda had something more than mere “religion.” Seeing her consistent Christian life and attending church with her, I was confronted with the disturbing truth that there is a distinct difference be tween cold, ceremonial religion and a g e n u in e bom-again e x p e r ie n c e through personal faith in Christ JesUs. Before Wanda’s conversion we had talked of getting married after high school graduation. But now she ex plained that unless I gave my heart to Christ, she would have to stop see ing me. Too stubborn and proud to give in, I told myself I could live without her or her Saviour. Our dance band, the fame, the popularity, the bright lights, and money—weren’t these the things I wanted most? I tried to lose myself in my music and social activity of the jazz world, but the more I tried, the more miserable I was in my mind and soul. One Sunday night in my misery,
as I sat in Wanda’s church and her pastor preached, I was so convicted of my sin by the Holy Spirit that I went to the front and, on my knees, poured out my heart to God. I con fessed my sins to Him and begged His forgiving mercy. I still hoped secretly that I could have Christ, Wanda, and my jazz. I knew in my heart I was wrong, but I fought the Lord for it anyway. Final ly, however, tired of compromise, I cried out to God, “If you will forgive my sins and disobedience I will serve you for the rest of my life. If you will help me, I will leave the orchestra and accept your call to preach the gospel of Christ.” God heard my prayer. He answered it by lifting the heavy weight of con viction and guilt. And then He flooded my soul with peace and joy such as I had never known before. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). (This testimony available in tract form from the American Tract Society.)
Clarence Jones, founder of HCJB, pioneer missionary radio voice, talks to Howard Jones, ELWA, Liberia, Africa, staff evangelist.
Rev. Howard Jones served as associate evangelist with Dr. Billy Graham in his recent ministry on the African continent.
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