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“Tonight’s the night,” I thought as I hurried into my bedroom to retrieve all the articles that would make this an experience to remember. I had waited and waited for this moment and now, finally, it had arrived. My anticipation was high, my heart was happy and as far as I was concerned, I was ready, willing and able.
I was preparing to see God. I had already met Him, but I had never seen Him. I was only a teenager, but my desire and urge to see God were so great that I was consumed with this undertaking. I had heard of many wonderful experiences in which God had appeared to many individuals through dreams, visions or some other literal manifestation, and I wanted the same encounter.
“Wow,” was all I could silently respond to these awesome scenarios. I, too, wanted to experience the excitement of standing face to face with my God. What would I say? What would I do? These questions, and their answers, filled my mind until finally I decided, “I am going to see the Lord.”
Thus, I began my quest to find God. Having such a young, inquisitive mind, I first asked myself, “Where should I wait for God and His appearing?” Immediately, the answer came to me — in my living room.
You might wonder why would I look in the living room for God. Well, I grew up in a Christian home where the living room was practically a sanctuary. It was in the living room where my brother, Pastor Dale Bronner, taught and ministered directly from the heart of God for almost 15 years. It was in the living room where my parents gathered me and my five brothers for family prayer and Bible study. It was in the living room where my mother and father counseled many people in desperate need of God. So, by all practical and spiritual measures, the living room was the logical choice for my meeting with God. My living room had been the location of many wonderful, Spirit-filled events, and I knew that if there was only one place where God would show up, it would be there. (Note: It was also in the living room where I began my weekly ministry to young men.)
So one night I decided, “This is the night.” Once the hour turned into midnight, the sky turned blacker and the night became still, I excitedly ran to my (very cluttered) room, got my pillow and blanket and headed for my living room. I had made up my mind that I was going to wait right there until my change came! So, I leaped on the sofa, arranged my pillow and blanket, and I began to imagine what this night would be like.
A visit from God was my only hope. Seeing God was my only desire. Hearing from Him my only goal. As these thoughts began to finally slow down, and my heartbeat returned to normal, I began to drift off to sleep — with one eye open and with one eye closed. Whenever the wind blew I jumped up. “God, is that you?” Everytime I heard a crack in the floor, I opened my closed eye. “Here I am, Lord.”
The next thing I knew, it was morning. I was in a panic. I was disappointed. I felt like my life had flashed before my eyes. This was an emergency. I had not seen God. Realizing that I had possibly slept through a visit from the Almighty, all I could do was berate myself, for surely I had missed the chance of a lifetime.
But I was wrong. I had only begun my lifelong journey to find God. And from that time to this time, my search has never ended. I must find God. Even though my tactics have changed from my nights of camping out in the living room, my search is still the same. I did not see God then, but I see Him now more and more with each passing day.
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Special Acknowledgments
I lovingly dedicate this book to my wife, Traci, for her love and support, and to my daughters, Amaris, who is as cherished as a promise from God, and Elisha, who is as sweet as the heart of God. May you always know God, and the power of His might and the depth of His love. Let Him reign supreme in your hearts and you will always be blessed and prosperous.
Special thanks to Lee Bliss and Virginia Glass for the time and talent they lent to this project. Your work for the Kingdom will live eternally.
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