A Young Man Focused on Success
In April 1855, a young man named Dwight L. Moody stood in a shoe store in Boston, Massachusetts, seemingly more concerned with sales than with spiritual matters. Working under his uncle, Samuel Holton, Moody was required to attend the Mount Vernon Congregational Church as a condition of employment. He was known to be indifferent to matters of faith, focused instead on worldly success and material gain.
A Sunday School Teacher's Visit
One day, Edward Kimball, Moody's Sunday school teacher, decided to visit him at the store. Kimball found Moody in the back room and began to speak to him about Jesus. As Kimball later recounted, 'I can almost remember the very words that Mr. Kimball said. But I think that the business of my conversion went on for weeks before that.' It was not a dramatic moment of immediate change, but rather the culmination of various influences and reflections.
The Beginning of Transformation
Moody's conversion marked the beginning of a profound transformation. He became deeply committed to his faith, eventually emerging as one of the most influential evangelists of the 19th century. His dedication led to the founding of the Moody Church in Chicago, the Northfield Schools, and the Moody Bible Institute. Moody's life became a testament to the power of Jesus to change hearts and lives.
A Legacy That Endures
The quiet conversation in the shoe store set Moody on a path that would impact millions. His story is a reminder of how God can use simple acts of obedience and sincere conversations to bring about lasting change. Moody gave thanks to God for his transformation, acknowledging that it was Jesus who guided him into a life of purpose and service.
