In 1972 Canada’s national hockey team played in a series against Russia. In the very last game, in the very last minute, Paul Henderson came to the ice. The game was currently tied. If it would end with a tie, Russia would win the series. Canada needed one more goal.
Paul Henderson came on the scene and scored what became a historic goal. The picture of Paul scoring was put on building all over Canada. In fact, it is still there in some small towns.
Paul Henderson became the most popular person in Canada. Everyone loved him!
He was making so much money, and was so famous and popular – but he felt so empty. Nobody knew. Nobody would guess. He would go home, thinking how empty he was, and how he wanted to be filled. But he did not know how.
Paul Henderson had big plans
Paul Henderson was the oldest of 5 kids, growing up in Ontario, Canada. He had a mom and dad who loved him. Early in his childhood he started dreaming big – He was aiming to become an athlete. When he was 14 years old he had his plans clear: To be successful, and to have money. You see, he was born in a quite poor family, and thought that if he only had money, the problems would go away.
He started to play for Detroit Redwings, and then traded to the Toronto Maple leafs.
During the hockey games in 1972, Paul actually ended up scoring the winning goal of three games.
Paul said:
“My friends would say: You are one of the luckiest guys alive. And as I looked at myself…I was 29, I was doing something that I always wanted to do – playing in the NHL, been there 9 years, enjoyed the career, my wife and family enjoyed the life…The future even looked rosier than the past…I was somewhat of a hero of this country. But inside I wasn’t content. I started asking questions.”
His wife and children went to church, but Paul was not really interested.
Paul Henderson’s life turned upside down
There was a Christian man, who saw Paul Henderson on TV, and said: That man is unhappy, and he started praying for him. He felt a call from God to buy a leather-bound Bible, writing the name “Paul Henderson” on the cover, go to his house, and to give him that Bible. And that’s what he finally did!
Paul Henderson opened the door! This is a person that everyone wanted to see!
The man told Paul: “God wanted me to give this to you”. Paul said: “Thank you…But I’ve never read the Bible before.”
To make a long story short, this man studied the Bible together with Paul Henderson for 2,5 years, and then came to believe that there was a God that wanted to have a personal relationship with him. He also understood that the reason that he wasn’t content with life, even if he had all that a man would want, was that he was separated from God.
He learned that, even if he was not an open rebellious guy, he experienced the consequences of living a life with separation from God. This is why his life was so empty.
Paul understood that the message of God was personal. He said:
“I did nothing to deserve it, God loved me, Paul Henderson, so much that he sent his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross, to pay the penalty for Paul Henderson’s sin.”
“Wow he died for me…I can either accept His love, or reject it.”
Battling between the World and Jesus
Paul wanted to become a Christian, but he had three problems:
- Worrying about being ridiculed – What are the people going to say if I become a Christian?
- Looking upon Christianity as do’s and don’ts – Wanting to do many of the don’ts.
- Realizing that if you really love the Lord you need to make a stand for Him.
Despite these concerns, Paul decided to commit His life to God. He was surrounded by good Christians who supported him on his new journey.
What an amazing story! Do you know that you too can experience this?
Jesus says:
”Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.”
Revelation 3:20
Jesus is knocking on the door of your heart. There is no handle to open the door on the outside, it’s on the inside. Only you can open that door and let Christ in.
Henderson’s Counsel to others
Do you want to experience what Paul Henderson experienced?
Here is his personal counsel:
- Find someone who love the Lord, and get support.
- Find a good Bible believing church, where the Bible is of high esteem, and where there are answers. Ask questions.
- Pray to the Lord – Say: “Reveal yourself to me”.
Paul Henderson said that the day that he accepted Christ as his savior, he was filled with much more joy than he was filled with on the day when he scored that famous goal. He said that he would rather give up that experience, than to give up his experience of knowing Jesus. Since that day, Paul Henderson has been sharing his faith with anyone who wants to listen.
Jesus said:
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
Matthew 28:11
Do you want to start a new journey? Perhaps, you have been on the journey with God, but you have slipped back. Don’t delay. Come to Jesus.
You have a choice: The world, or Jesus. Do you want to give Jesus your all? An unreserved surrender?
Make this choice today.
To help you on this journey, we have a free book offer for you, an amazing book called “Steps to Christ”. One of the most sold books in the world.
If you want help to find a Bible believing church, please leave a comment below, or contact us, and we will help you.
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