I Am A Christian

Several years ago the hashtag #IAMACHRISTIAN went viral boldly declaring our faith. In Acts, Paul gives us a simple 3-point model for sharing your testimony.  #Biblestudy #Acts #WomensBibleStudy #GoodMorningGirls

We’ve all seen it in the news – the horrifying school shooting in Oregon.

CNN reported:

The gunman who opened fire at Oregon’s Umpqua Community College targeted Christians specifically, according to the father of a wounded student.

Before going into spinal surgery, Anastasia Boylan told her father and brother the gunman entered her classroom firing. The professor in the classroom was shot point blank. Others were hit, she told her family.

Everyone in the classroom dropped to the ground.

The gunman, while reloading his handgun, ordered the students to stand up if they were Christians, Boylan told her family.

“And they would stand up and he said, ‘Good, because you’re a Christian, you’re going to see God in just about one second,'” Boylan’s father, Stacy, told CNN, relaying her account.

And then he shot and killed them.

Heartbreaking.

And then the response of Christians went viral.  Christians on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook posted this image below everywhere – declaring their faith.

I Am A Christian

When I was in third grade, my mom taught me how to write my testimony based on Paul’s model in Acts.  Then she challenged me to go to school and tell 2 of my friends.  The day came for me to share the gospel and I was so nervous!  I hopped onto my school bus and quickly told two of my friends – Jill and Kelsey…and nothing bad happened to me.  Lol!  Actually – they were quite interested and I found that it was fun to tell!

This little seed of my first memory of sharing the gospel grew and grew and grew inside of me. I continued to share and contend for the faith in my public schools, all the way through high school.  It was my love for sharing the gospel, that led me eventually to Bible College and graduating with a degree in Evangelism and Discipleship.

I AM A CHRISTIAN

And I will never shy away from declaring this!

My testimony is quite brief (and perhaps boring) because I was saved at the age of 5 but we are given a model or example to follow by Paul for sharing our testimony.  Let’s take a look at it.

Paul’s Model For How To Tell Your Testimony

1.) Before Jesus

Paul told the crowds what he was like before he met Jesus.  He persecuted Christians – putting them into prison and to death!

I am a Jew, born in Tarsus in Cilicia, but brought up in this city, educated at the feet of Gamaliel according to the strict manner of the law of our fathers, being zealous for Godas all of you are this day. I persecuted this Way to the death, binding and delivering to prison both men and women, as the high priest and the whole council of elders can bear me witness. From them I received letters to the brothers, and I journeyed toward Damascus to take those also who were there and bring them in bonds to Jerusalem to be punished.” Acts 22:3-5

2.)  How He Met Jesus

Paul told the story of how he met Jesus on the road to Damascus.

 “As I was on my way and drew near to Damascus, about noon a great light from heaven suddenly shone around me. And I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’ And I answered, ‘Who are you, Lord?’ And he said to me, ‘I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting.’  (Acts 22:6-8)

“And at that very hour I received my sight and saw him. 14 And he said, ‘The God of our fathers appointed you to know his will, to see the Righteous One and to hear a voice from his mouth; 15 for you will be a witness for him to everyone of what you have seen and heard. 16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’” (Acts 22:13-16)

3.)  How his life was changed after Jesus

After Paul met Jesus, he no longer persecuted Christians but rather became a missionary of the gospel to both the Jews and the Gentiles.

“When I had returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance and saw him saying to me, ‘Make haste and get out of Jerusalem quickly, because they will not accept your testimony about me.’  And I said, ‘Lord, they themselves know that in one synagogue after another I imprisoned and beat those who believed in you.  And when the blood of Stephen your witness was being shed, I myself was standing by and approving and watching over the garments of those who killed him.’  And he said to me,‘Go, for I will send you far away to the Gentiles.’(Acts 22:17-21)

Paul followed this same model again in Acts 26 before King Agrippa.  He told of his past before Jesus, his conversion and how he met Jesus, and how Jesus had changed his life.

Paul’s Testimony is a Model for Us

Will you declare today…

I AM A CHRISTIAN

My two little friends on the school bus welcomed my story of meeting Jesus happily but Paul’s experience was quite different. When he told his testimony the crowds raised their voices and said:  “Away with such a fellow from the earth! For he should not be allowed to live.” (Acts 22:22)

May we bravely and courageously declare our faith no matter what the response may be.

To God be the glory!

** Chime In**  Let’s practice sharing our testimonies here in the comment section (like my mother did with me).

1.) What was your life like before Christ?

2.)  How did you meet Jesus?

3.) How has your life been changed by Jesus?

Don’t be shy.  We want to hear and celebrate with you what God has done in our lives!

Walk with the King,

Courtney 

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40 Comments

  1. Before I met Jesus I was everything bad. I was immoral, mean, and extremely selfish. Selfish to the point that I hurt others emotionally as a result of selfishly doing what I wanted to do with no regard to how it would affect others.
    I met Jesus after my husband got saved. I saw the transformation in him and realized that Jesus was completely real and His power to change and redeem a life was real. I asked Him to be my Lord and Savior and asked forgiveness of all my sins.
    My life now is changing every day. I have a desire to please the Lord and be filled with the Spirit. I want to love God and love others.

    1. Ashley – thank you for being brave and being the first to share your testimony!

      What a beautiful testimony!! I love how your husband came to know Jesus and his transformation led you to Christ! Awesome!

      Keep walking with the King,
      Courtney

  2. Thank you Courtney for sharing this. I have never been challenged as directly as you were by your mom to go out and tell my testimony. To be honest I’ve really never given much thought to what my testimony is. Now I have something to think about for the night. Not only will I be challenging myself in the same way your mother challenged you but I’m going to pass that challenge on to my children as well. Thank you for all you do here at GMG to guide us all in a deeper study of God’s Holy Word. I Am A Christian

    1. Yay – I’m so excited to hear that you will share it with your children Tanya! That is great and will be such a blessing to them as they grow older – it will give them the confidence they need to share when the time comes.

      🙂
      Courtney

  3. So funny that this is the blog post I would read today. My testimony and the fact that I have never shared it with anyone has really been on my heart. It has always seemed like a boring story to me that I can’t imagine how it would help anyone else. But here goes:
    #1) always going to church when I was younger made it seem like it was just a natural thing to accept Jesus and #2) going through confirmation class at the age of 13 I accepted Christ for myself and #3) met a friend in college who really challenged to me study and absorb what the Bible has to say and she reminded me of what that 13 year old was feeling when she accepted Jesus. And I have rekindled all those feelings doing this study on Acts. And my prayer is that this time, I will keep going. I want my son to see me reading the Bible and acting out God’s will for my life. #iamachristian

    1. Megan,

      I’m glad you took this opportunity to write out your testimony and share it with us! Thank you! Your son is blessed to have a mother who is hungry for the Word of God – it will surely rub off on him!

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  4. I too was saved at a young age. I didn’t have full assurance of my salvation until I was a senior in high school. However boring I think my testimony may be, I also need to praise God for the things He saved me from! I could have gone down a very bad path but God saved me and kept me from all of that! Thank you Lord!!

    1. Carissa – yes yes yes!! When I was younger – I really wished I had a more exciting testimony but as I’ve matured I have realized – a boring testimony is a blessing – God has protected us from so many things and for that I am grateful.

      Thank you for sharing,
      Courtney

      1. Funny, our church does testimony every Sunday night. I have never even considered giving mine because it is so boring. I grew up in an awesome Christian home and the accepted the Lord as my savior at 6. But reading this makes me realize how very blessed I am to have a boring testimony. And I need to tell it because it is the story of Jesus loving, and saving, even boring ordinary me. The story that we all need that saving grace even if we don’t have a more dramatic testimony.

  5. Hi,

    I love to hear of the young testimonies and I hope nobody ever thinks there boring because it is such a blessing to have known Jesus so long! my testimony has many heartbreaks…trouble in school, with boys, abortion, alcohol, and more but God took my life and turned it right! He led me by a vision to meet my husband.God took both my husband and I brokenness and made us complete in Him and now we are living His purpose in our lives..we have 3 children, 2 adopted, and 1 foster-adopt, have done foster care for several children and hope to adopt more!! Our testimony began with heartbreak but turned beautiful but what a blessing to have always seen God from such a young age!!

  6. I never thought I was “good enough” to be saved. I hadn’t been serious in church long enough to walk the isle. People will look at me etc. those were always things I thought. I was a good enough person I suppose. Had a rowdy youth but as a college graduate I grew up a bit and was a very loving and giving person, yet not a godly person. I started going to church every Sunday when I was pregnant and was definitely touched by the Holy Spirit. I still wouldn’t walk the isle, it was too soon , again people will think I’m crazy. One Sunday night when the preacher put out the invitation I wanted to go but wouldn’t. Next thing I knew I was down front, crying and telling the preacher I wanted to be saved. It’s like I floated down there and I knew exactly what to say. It was God carrying me to my salvation. I haven’t been perfect since but I know I have loving Father who understands me and walks with me daily. I strive to become a better person everyday and I know Gods is leading me. #IAMaChristian!!!!!!!

  7. This is great!

    1). I did not grow up in a Christian home. I grew up in a middle class house where alcohol, drugs and pornography were present. My parents were divorced when I was 13 and I lived with my dad and his wife up until my brother had a severe ashma attack and went into cardiac arrest at age 14 and was in ICU for over a month. I made a conscious decision at that point that there must not be a God because he wouldn’t allow those kinds of things to happen if there was a God. Fast forward about 5 years and me and my boyfriend moved to a new state where I would get into a job through a temporary agency. I worked my way up the corporate ladder traveling 3-4 weeks a month on business. I was married to my high school sweetheart during this phase of my life and disregarded him most always. We did not desire to have children for our lives were much to selfish and prideful to have time for that. We were “good” people, actually we thought we were better than everyone else. We were not drinkers or partners, but “American Dream” followers. My husband’s younger sister had moved in with us and we found out she was involved in “immoral things”. One day in a very stressful season at work and home my husband says he thinks we should take my ” SIL” to church so she can make some nice friends. We both met Jesus in the process..
    The Lord asked me to give up my job when I came to him so I quit without enough to support our existing lifestyle and he next day I received a call for a new job I had given up on that had been in the works for several years. He proved to me early on He can be trusted.

    God was still in the process of renewing my mind. I still threw away a teaching on being a submissive
    wife I heard shortly after I was saved. The thought was still ludicrous to me as a woman who was quite a feminist in my old life. God continued to work on us both and asked us to trust Him in the area of children. A few months after my son was born He used the text of matthew leaving his job as a tax collector “right away” to follow Jesus to keep me at home with my son. Fast forward almost 7 years later and I’m a stay at home mom of a 7, 5 and 1 year old who homeschools – say what? ?. I now strive to be submissive to both God and my husband. He has definitely shown me His great love, renewed my mind and given me a future.

    Thanks for reading! God bless!

    1. What a beautiful story Heather! I loved reading how far God has brought you! His Holy Spirit has been at work in your life and you have been obedient along the way and He has transformed you! Thank you for sharing!

  8. I don’t really remember a time when Jesus was not connected with my life. My first memory of Jesus is crying at the altar at the age of 6 and asking Jesus into my heart. Our family went to church on Sunday mornings. My step-dad played bass guitar for a local Southern gospel group that traveled the area on the weekends. I remember writing & giving an oral report for Social Studies class in high school about how to be a witness for Jesus. I thank God for the ways he kept me during my youth.

    However, I strayed from the path in my late teens. After high school I got into the party scene. I wasn’t going to church anywhere and sinned greatly. But God in his mercy sent a true Christian to me where I was working. Her life convicted me of my sin. I began to go to church with her & heard the gospel afresh and anew. Repent! Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ! Receive the gift of the Holy Ghost! I wept at an altar again because of my sin. I was buried with Him in baptism and felt so new and clean. About a year later I received the Holy Ghost which has given me the power to be not only a witness but an overcomer!

    Almost 30 years later, I am still amazed by the gospel and it’s power to change lives. I am so thankful for being kept, so glad my sins were washed away, and so in awe of the grace of God and the power of the Spirit. Great is His faithfulness!

  9. 1.) What was your life like before Christ?
    Before Christ I was vulnerable, insecure and self destructive. I made bad choices and sought escape from reality.

    2.)  How did you meet Jesus?
    I believed in the reality of God from a young age, but many years later, at the age of 28 I came to repentance and surrendered my life to Christ.

    3.) How has your life been changed by Jesus?
    Christ has calmed me and centred me in him. He has given me joy and a hope for the future, based on the steadfast guarantee of his word.

  10. I don’t remember how I was before Jesus, because I was five also, when we met. But I do know it was very significant being reborn because I don’t remember how I was before, but i know how I was when it happened. I remember being in my mothers bed, at night time, with a single lamp on in the room. She was telling me about Jesus, and what He had done for me. And I understood it. It was a simplistic understanding but it was nonetheless understood. The image I had of the trinity then is the same as I have of it now and that can only come from the Spirit. I believed, I accepted, I asked God into my heart and I went to church the next morning showing everyone I ran into my “new skin” because I had been “born again”. I was completely unashamed, not shy in the least. I spoke about it like it was totally tangible, because to me and my little five year old mind, it was tangible. I believed it so much and so innocently that it was that real to me. Now when I look back on my child and teenage years, i can so clearly see the Holy Spirit throughout my life, guiding me. At the time it wasn’t so clear but now I know it for what it is. It just took some maturity. But I am so thankful that my mom didn’t wait until I was “old enough” or able to do some “critical thinking” before she told me of the love of Jesus.

  11. At the beginning of this year, I was a potty mouthed, selfish, wordly, full time working mom. Although married, my husband and I had lived together in sin before getting married. I thought I had been saved as a teen (and was even baptized!), but realized that I had never actually been saved and thus had no conscience about things like fornication. There was no change in me & I was just doing what my friends were doing (in getting “saved & baptized”). In February of this year, I realized how wrong I had been (and and how grateful I was to have realized it before it was too late). And things changed. Once I asked Jesus to be my savior & truly understood the gospel, I had a heavy heart for the way I lived my life. I felt awful for having committed fornication & living so wordly. I was obsessed with hearing the word, so I listened to sermons online (along with regular church attendance and reading the Bible). My life has changed so much since then. The Holy Spirit has helped me to stop having such a potty mouth (something I had tried to do many times in the form of new years resolutions) and to embrace my role as a Godly wife and mother. The Lord also worked on my husband’s heart so that I would be able to become the homemaker that he commissioned us women to be (previously my husband laughed at the idea of me staying home…he assumed we would never be able to afford it). The Lord provided us means to eliminate all our debt (except our mortgage) and I was able to quit my job. After Christ I am a happy, joyful, obedient, stay at home mom and I LOVE it. This life is the kind of life I wanted, but didn’t know it. I thought having a career & making it on my own was what I wanted. I thought I could make myself happy. I’ve realized that Jesus saved me, gave me eternal life, and gave me a joy-filled life here. All these things I could never do for myself!! Praise God!

    1. Logan,

      I am so encouraged by your testimony this morning!!! What a life transformed in 2015!!! This is wonderful to read – thank you so much for sharing.

      Lots of Love,
      Courtney

  12. So I saw a lot of comments about having a “boring testimony” but I just wanted to add that there’s no such thing. In Luke it says “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7. On the day you were saved the angels rejoiced it was so exciting, they had a party, you just may have not seen all the excitement.

    I was lost and scared as a child. I didn’t understand the world I was living in. I went with my grandmother to church and heard the gospel. I knew Jesus was what I was looking for in my life. When I got home I was so excited. I told my mom, “Mom, I got saved tonight” my mom looked me dead in the eye and said, “Saved? from what the boogy man? stop being silly” and after that I wasn’t allowed to go to Church with my Grandma anymore. My parents thought she was a bad influence. From that point forward it’s been very difficult for me. I still shy away from sharing my faith or having open discussions about God. I even walked away from God for awhile in my teen and young adult years, but God has a way of bringing His sheep back home to Him. As an adult I questioned over and over again if I was truly saved. I think I prayed the prayer for salvation about 100 times. Then I finally heard God speaking to me saying “It’s ok I heard you the first time. Simply seek me” and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since. Growing in faith and walking toward Him. I try to grow in sharing my faith, but it’s still very difficult for me. It doesn’t come naturally, but I know God wants us to be able to give that testimony to anyone who asks, and sometimes those that don’t ask, so I try to be prepared, even if it isn’t easy.

  13. Hi Courtney – Thanks for this great blog. I have been following you or about 4-years and you have made such a huge difference.

    I grew up as a small “c” christian – culturally we were christian. We were all baptized; married in and buried from churches; celebrated all the holidays; read the bible at Christmas; went to church for Christmas Eve carol service and Easter Sunday – so long as neither conflicted with a family party… I went to an Anglican school. Daily we sang hymns, O Canada and God Save the Queen, and then said the Lord’s Prayer.I grew up as a pretty typical 1970s kids in Canada. It never occurred to me to read the bible myself. My parents felt that we had the right balance of faith and the world in our lives.

    As an adult, I lived my life in the world and of the world and participated in many activities which brought momentary gratification but little happiness. Finally I prayed to Heavenly Father for focus and direction in my life. My boyfriend left and I learned I was pregnant. As a single parent in my late 30s, I began church shopping, looking for a solid community I which to raise my child. I visited many churches each working diligently in the fields of the Lord and working to bring souls to Salvation. I found many to be more interested in social policy and good works than in teaching the Holy Writ. I found some to be filled with judgmental people who saw that my having a child out of wedlock was a sin the over rode any contributions or skills that I might have to contribute (this always confused me because once you are pregnant you only have two choice to have or not to have – and not having to me is the far worse sin). My son attended many Sunday Schools and he became discerning about which taught scripture and which just handed out juice and crackers.

    We did finally find ourselves a church where the Word of God is preached, where the members recognize the sin but believe that all sins are washed away in the waters of baptism. One where my skills in genealogy are welcomed; where my skills in teaching allow me to teach Sunday School and Relief Society; where I can bake all the cakes I want for church events; where I am a fully active and participating member of the community. I now call myself a Christian with a capital “C” and I also say I am a Mormon.

    Alma 5:38-39 : Behold, I say unto you, that the good shepherd doth call you; yea, and in his own name he doth call you, which is the name of Christ; and if ye will not hearken unto the voice of the good shepherd, to the name by which ye are called, behold, ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd. And now if ye are not the sheep of the good shepherd, of what fold are ye? Behold, I say unto you, that the devil is your shepherd, and ye are of his fold; and now, who can deny this?

  14. I grew up going to church and I don’t ever remember not believing in Jesus. When I was 10 Jesus became VERY real to me. My little brother was sick, had a liver transplant, then his body rejected his new liver and the doctors said they can’t do anything else. God had other plans and my brother received a miracle and was healed. I considered myself a “strong Christian” but fell flat on my face more times than I can count after high school. I got into drinking (heavily) and had the worse attitude possible. I was not an enjoyable person to be around. Jesus reminded me He was there and I’d been ignoring Him. All the times I was sinning I realize now the Holy Spirit was convicting me but the deeper into the sin I got the more I ignored the Spirits prompting to run from the way I was living. I have been learning so much about what it means to actually follow Jesus instead of just believing in Him. I always get confused when I am asked when I was saved. I don’t have an exact date. I don’t remember the exact moment, I’ve just always known without a doubt Jesus is there. I’ve had times I’ve been following His ways and times I’ve fallen. I’ve had many times of recommitting my life to Jesus and many times of repentance. The enemy is at work and when we let out guard down it’s a opening for the enemy to speak lies to us. I never want to let my guard down again. The saying is true…sin takes you further than you ever intended to go. Thank God for His mercy and forgiveness. Walking with Jesus is so much better :

  15. From as far back as I can remember I always believed in God. I remember growing up in the West Indies we were always in church – twice on Sundays, Tuesday and Thursday nights. Back then I had probably memorized more bible verses than I know now. I loved going to church. At the age of 11 I came to Canada and lived with my aunt. She went to church sporadically and so did I. I remember missing church. I did not go to church during my teenage years but God still crossed my mind once in a while. I didn’t do all the partying, drinking, smoking, etc., but I was far from God. I grew up, had my three children out of wedlock, accepted the Lord in my life in and was baptized in 1999. Got married to my children’s father and the love of my life in 2004. With the busyness of life I began straying from the Lord again. In 2007 I was involved in a very serious motor vehicle accident – I was not expected to survive BUT, God had other plans. I was given another chance at life. THANK YOU JESUS!!! My relationship with the Lord is now stronger than it’s ever been and I am working daily to make it stronger. As I look back, I can see that God was always there. I knew he was there but, for some reason I kept straying. Yet he loved me, and he never left me nor forsook me. What an awesome God we serve!!!

  16. My testimony is like yours and others I have seen here. I grew up in the church, almost literally. My parents brought me when I was about a week old and we were one of “those” families that was came to the church anytime the doors were open. My parents were Sunday School teachers, youth leaders, my dad was a trustee and deacon (now an elder), my grandpa was an elder, my grandma was on the women’s guild, quilting guild, and funeral luncheon committee. It was just a matter of time for me and my siblings.
    Several times a year, my family traveled to Ohio to visit my great-grandma and two great-uncles that she lived with. She was a quiet spirit with a beautiful smile, amazing gift for cooking and hospitality, and a passion for her Lord. During those trips, my sister and I would sneak downstairs early in the morning and watch her from the living room as she sat at the kitchen table with her cup of coffee and Bible. My great-uncle still talks about how much she poured over scripture and would come home after church and correct his sermons (he’s a pastor). When I was 7, she passed away. She was the first person I ever knew that died. I don’t remember crying much. I don’t remember many people crying. Everyone loved her dearly. I loved her dearly and still miss her and I’m 33! Looking back, I know that everyone knew that she was home and had lived a full life for God.
    Two years later, I came out of the shower one night crying. I had been thinking of and missing my great-grandma. My parents asked what was wrong and I told them that when I died, I wanted to be with her and Jesus. The following Sunday, my dad baptized me.
    I have been through all kinds of ups and downs but my faith has ultimately carried me through. After high school I went to Ozark Christian College and graduated with a degree in music and worship. I came back to Illinois after 6 years in Missouri and I have been very active in my church as a member of the Worship Ministry. Five years ago I met a wonderful man, we had a beautiful daughter, got married (yes, she was conceived in sin, but God turned that for our good. We were forgiven and embraced by God and our church and loved beyond belief. She is healthy, beautiful, and very loved by everyone in the congregation), and welcomed our second daughter a year ago.
    God has carried us through so much. We have weathered consistent financial struggles, loss of jobs, moves, my husband’s addiction, and six months of not being able to live together as a family. Our faith and just gotten stronger and we lean on Him more than ever because we know what he has already done.

  17. I remember going to church every Sunday as a child, sitting obediently on the pew with my family but absorbing nothing.
    I met and married my husband, both of us believed superficially that Jesus was God and that he died for all of us.
    Of all things, God used the musical Godspell to show me a loving Jesus. After that, I couldn’t stop thinking about him as a loving, personal friend and savior but didn’t know how to make him mine. I sang the song “Day by day” to Him, wanting to love Him. We went to a generic church on base (my husband had joined the AF) but I didn’t get any closer in my search for Him. The AF moved us to Germany where we met some of our closest friends/brothers and sisters in Christ who shared the truth with me then with my husband. Once we heard the truth that we needed to accept His gift of salvation personally and repent, we were bought and sealed, praise God!

  18. I have always had things and never knew that I had them until much later. My best friend and I sat by each other on the bus for a full year, until the next year, when we couldn’t wait to see each other, instantly becoming best friends. We remained best friends for any years, my only friend, until recently, and our friendship is in peices, and now I have no friend. But God.
    I have grown up knowing Christ, and always accepted that He was there. I could feel Him in my life, but had no memory of accepting Him and truly meaning it. I felt as if a vital price were missing. Last November, I went on a mission trip to Haiti, and was blown away by what He was teaching me and how He moved through every willing person. Keep in mind that I was thirteen, and my parents did not go with me. It was also my first time leaving the country. I knew that God had moved me to go there, but it truly bothered me that I had never said the words with meaning. On December 24, 2014, I was in my bed late at night and fell into tears, and prayed the words that He has been waiting to hear. I prayed for hours.
    Before I accepted Christ, I now realize that I had quite literally worshiped my imperfect best friend, thinking her amazing to stoop down to become my only friend, and believed every word she told me.
    Now I feel whole. I no longer worshiped my friend, but saw her as a friend. I certainly am not perfect, and struggle with many things, but God is there. He loves me, and I have to remember that. I have been writing reports on the gospel to my class boldly, reciting verses, and was learning more about His Word in the process. But at the beggining of. Summer Break, I began to stray again, demanding selfishly of God for a friend, never quite realizing that He IS my friend. I continued to go to church with my family on Sunday mornings, but my Bible was collecting dust. I became stubborn. But just several days ago, I finally recognized Christ as my Best friend that never fails, and is all I need. It is so simple.

    1. Yes Isabella – Jesus is the best friend a girl could ever have!! He loves us unconditionally and is with us forever!

      Keep walking with Him and thank you for sharing your testimony here,
      Courtney

  19. I am a Christian. I grew up in a house of “agnostics and atheists”; the joke was that we believe in the Easter bunny and Santa Claus. It was not until I was 20 and met my (now) husband that God really showed up as an option. God worked through my husband to show me the loving grace that He has for me. I learned who Jesus is and that He dies so that we can be forgiven; He is the atonement for our sins. I prayed with my husband, the day after our wedding, to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior and I asked to be forgiven for my sins. The happiest day of my life turned out to be the day after my wedding! I am so grateful for the witness that my husband was and that he was willing to be used by God. We have Christ at the center of our marriage, the center of our home and our hearts. We are now raising 3 beautiful children to know and follow the Lord with all of their hearts, minds and strength. I am humbled and honored to stand strong and say I AM A CHRISTIAN!

    1. Wow Britney – the day after your wedding! What an exciting week you had – saved and married and now forever when you celebrate your anniversary you are celebrating your spiritual birthday as well! I love this!

      Thanks for sharing,
      Courtney

  20. What was your life like before Christ?
    My life before I met Christ was without hope, lost, empty, meaningless.
    Living for myself.

    How did you meet Jesus?
    The Lord met me with this bible verse, “Behold now is the accepted time to receive Christ as your Savior. Now is the day of salvation”. (2 Corinthians 6:2). It made me realize that I couldn’t just keep “sitting on the fence”. I had to make that commitment while there was still time (i.e. while I was still alive). I grew up in church and I believed in God, and gave the appearance to everyone that I was a Christian, but my heart was far from God. I could even quote bible verses that I’d learnt as a child.

    I hadn’t understood the gospel, that I needed to trust in Christ and have a personal relationship with Him, and I needed to repent of all my sins, and truly mean it from my heart.

    How has your life been changed by Jesus?
    Jesus Christ is my everything, I love Him, I belong to Him, I lean on Him, I depend on Him, I am saved by Him and through Him.
    I am not the same person I used to be, I am a new creation.. I wouldn’t trade it for anything else in the world.
    “I would not change my blessed estate for all the world calls good or great”

      1. Thank you Courtney! When I was writing my testimony, my husband felt it a good idea to write out his testimony as well. Now he’s finished, he would like to personally share here as well. As typical for my husband, it’s quite long and wordy – so here goes…!

        1.) What was your life like before Christ?

        As a teenager, I really thought I was a “nice likeable guy” who wanted to be kind to everybody, to help & please them. I thought I was a decent respectable person. But my heart was blinded to see that all of this was just self-righteousness & I was full of sin. In fact, I was an absolute reprobate & chose to hang around with worldly school friends.

        I now know that my life truly confirmed the scriptures “There is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10) & “Behold, I was shape in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalm 51:5). I was on my way to hell (thinking I was on my way to heaven), but didn’t even know it.

        2.) How did you meet Jesus?

        During the ages of around 4 to 9, my parents made some sort of Christian profession & took me to the local church & Sunday School. Here I heard about Jesus dying for me on the cross, to pay the price for my sins. I truly believed it & when I was 7, I knelt one evening by the side of my bed to ask Jesus to come into my life (I really sincerely meant it).

        Just after I turned 8, I went with my parents to a Christian vacation camp. Here one of the children’s leaders asked me & the other children if I would like to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit. There was no hesitation with me & the leaders prayed & laid hands on me (plus other children) to receive the Spirit. I felt a definite warm presence come on me, starting from the top of my head & then going down to my chest. I couldn’t stop crying.

        I feel that these two events (kneeling by my bed & praying for the Holy Spirit) were the start of me seeking after God. Unfortunately though, my parents didn’t continue for long at the church & I did not have any spiritual mentorship. So I truly believed in Jesus, but did not know that I needed to take up my cross daily in repentance – so I was “living with the hare & the hounds” – half with God & the other half with the world. This explains why though I thought I was acting nice, but had no conscience or conviction about my sinful ways.

        When I was seventeen, I decided it was a good thing if I went to church again (my parents had stopped going to church 5 years before), so I started attending their old fellowship. However, I was still hanging around with my old reprobate school friends – so I would go to church & then go straight away to meet up with these friends on the same day – talk about being a hypocrite!

        About 12 months later, while I was living this double life (going to church whilst meeting with the worldly school friends), God really spoke to me through my Dad the scripture “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers” (2 Corinthians 6:14). This verse was constantly pricking at my conscience during the next month, especially when I met up with these friends. Then one Saturday, these acquaintances pranked around trying to get me in trouble with the police, but fortunately the police could see that I had been set up & let me go free. Right at that very moment, this verse came so alive to me & I knew without a shadow of a doubt that I needed to disassociate myself from these “so-called” friends & put myself right with God.

        From this point on, I spent my time just going to the church services & youth group. I asked Jesus into my life again & to forgive me of all my sins. After a few months, I felt it right in my heart to be baptized as a personal declaration that I was wanting to be a Christian & live for God – so I was baptized at the church’s next baptismal service.

        During the next year, I had no friends at all. It was one of the loneliest & most miserable times in my life; but I knew that this sacrifice coming from turning away from my old life was the only right choice I had. I then met some friends (as I thought) at this church – but after knowing them for about a year, realized that they were more worldly & sinful than the former school friends. So God was teaching me a hard lesson from this experience – that there are people in the church who call themselves Christian who are in fact not Christian – rather they are “wolves in sheep’s clothing”. So I stopped seeing these church friends too & decided to have a fresh start at a new church (which to this day, I am convinced was the right decision).

        From this point on, I was really starting to live for Christ (by now, I was about twenty); I genuinely & sincerely turned from much of my old sinful life. At that time, I was very insecure as a person due to my broken childhood (my parents had a very nasty divorce when I was sixteen); but God has little by little been building me up, to find my confidence in Christ (not in myself).

        Twenty years passed & then I heard a sermon from a renowned minister who said that when we come to Christ, in our repentance, we must name each specific sin & turn from it. This was such a revelation to me; when I heard the gospel (that I truly believed), I was taught just to say sorry to Jesus for all of my sins (just a blanket covering). The Holy Spirit convicted me so powerfully to get on my knees & name each sin I had ever committed & then declare & choose before Almighty God that I had repented of the sin. Every night for two weeks, I kneeled by the side of my bed & the Holy Spirit reminded me of sin after sin that I had committed during my life. I don’t think I have ever cried so much in my life.

        So eighteen months on from this time, I can see how by God’s grace I conform even more than ever to the image of Christ.

        3.) How has your life been changed by Jesus?

        Looking back on my life from where I am now to before I truly trusted in Christ, it is so clear to me how God has totally changed, transformed & regenerated my heart. I am far from perfect & there can be moments when I slip back (as all believers do), but I am pressing on with all my heart to live a godly life for Jesus. Of course, I still want to be nice & friendly – but now with God’s Holy Spirit working through me!

  21. I was always what you call a good girl. Didn’t smoke, drink, party, curse, or sleep around. Not to say I wasn’t tempted. But I was always taught to value myself. We went to “church”, but didn’t have a Relationship with Jesus. My sister accepted Christ and became a constant drumming in my ear to accept Jesus. I was 16 and told her, I was still young, what if I want to do some of the forbidden list. I would have time later. Not realizing that in an instant my life could be over and I would have no time to tell Jesus I loved him and wanted to live for him.
    My family went to see one of the TV preachers at a local convention center. Can’t remember what he preached on, but Jesus touched me and pierced my heart. I accepted Christ that day and havent looked back since. I can’t imagine a day with out Him. He is the air I breath. I guess my testimony is you can be good and even go to church, but without a personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, your existence is hollow. I’ve been a born again Christian as we were called for 34 years and counting.

  22. When I read that news article, a song came to mind:

    In Christ alone my hope is found:
    He is my light, my strength, my song.
    This Cornerstone, this solid ground,
    Firm through the fiercest drought and storm –
    What heights of love, what depths of peace,
    When fears are stilled, when strivings cease,
    My Comforter, my All-in-All –
    Here in the love of Christ I stand.

    In Christ alone, Who took on flesh,
    Fullness of God in helpless Babe.
    This gift of love and righteousness,
    Scorned by the ones He came to save;
    Til on that cross as Jesus died
    The wrath of God was satisfied,
    For every sin on Him was laid –
    Here in the death of Christ I live.

    There in the ground His body lay,
    Light of the world by darkness slain –
    Then bursting forth in glorious day
    Up from the grave He rose again!
    And as He stands in victory,
    Sin’s curse has lost its grip on me –
    For I am His and He is mine,
    Bought with the precious blood of Christ.

    No guilt in life, no fear in death –
    This is the power of Christ in me.
    From a life’s first cry to final breath
    Jesus commands my destiny;
    No power of hell, no scheme of man,
    Can ever pluck me from His hand –
    Til He returns or calls me home
    Here in the power of Christ I stand!

    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    My parents started to seek God when they found out they expecting their first baby (me). We went to church every Sunday, and read the Bible and prayed at home. On Easter Sunday when I was about three and a half years old, I heard the story of the cross and the Resurrection. Later, at home, my parents helped me to ask Jesus to be my Lord and Saviour.
    Since then, God has done much in my life – and He’s not finished yet. Most recently, He has healed the stress-related element of asthma by giving me peace in abundance. I can’t wait to find out what He’s going to do in the future!

  23. 1) My life before Christ was: empty, meaningless, searching, fearful, and lonely.
    2)I met Jesus through a youth centre where a Christian woman worked. I met her when I was 13, but I didn’t accept Jesus until I was 18. I know now that she prayed for me. She was such a great friend to me through a very difficult time in my life, even though for many years I showed no interest in her relationship with Christ.
    3) Jesus is the only thing in this world I can be sure of. He makes me have something to hope for and something to live for that I know is real and true beyond a doubt.

    Just a thought regarding “boring” testimonies. When I pray for my two sons each night – I am praying that they have a boring testimony! I pray that they accept Jesus at an early age – the earlier the better, and that they walk with Him throughout their lives and trust Him no matter what! 🙂

  24. My life before Christ was one of despair, turmoil, emptyness, heartache and sin. I grew up Fatherless after the age of seven (he died in his sleep in our home), I witnessed my Mom’s whirlwind life of sin and instability. As a teen, I had sexual encounters, married and had my first child with my highschool sweetheart at 19, had our second child at 20, divorced at 24. After that, my life on the days my ex had my children included sin, lots of drinking, and even two abortions….two years of destruction. I “cleaned up my act” when I was almost 26 when I met my current husband. However, I still did not know Christ. I had always believed in Him but never given Him my life and had no relationship with Him. On Feb 2, 2014, at a church Womens Encounter Retreat, I met him head on. I nailed my sin, heartache, turmoil and horrible past to the cross….literally that weekend. Before that weekend, I had been attending church regularly but I also had some reservations. I did not believe in Baptism of the Holy Spirit or speaking in tongues…raised around Baptist family members, sometimes attending Baptist churches and being a member of a Baptist church during my first marriage, not only was that practiced but I was not deep in my faith and disnt even know what the wors said concerning that. Wouldnt you know, during the weekend I met Christ head on and he stole my heart, I would be one of the ones recieving and speaking in tongues. I would not have believed it had I not “came to” on the floor and had taken out a few chairs in the process…that was my life changer. My moment. My chains were broken. I found joy. I felt joy. I left that weekend singing and praising Him, my radio station changed, my attitude changed, my priorities changed, most importantly, my heart changed. My life had meaning and worth. I was no longer that broken, hurt, molested, damaged, little girl who saw more by the time she was 8yrs old, then most do by the time they are 18. I was no longer that wife in despair who was abused and felt deserted with two small children, I was no longer that out of control binge drinking, sexually active, heartbroken, desperate for love woman who was devestated by her choices of abortions……I was FREE. Truly free. Redeemed, forgiven, loved, worthy. I was His and He is mine! Life after I met Christ has not been perfect. More times than not, it has alot more bumps, but I have Him to lean on and dust me off. I have no feelings of despair and I can always count on Him. He is my #1. Without Him I can do nothing. I have a life worth living because He gave His life. I am now in a unequally yoked marriage with my husband, and I have 3 (my husband and I had a child together 3 1/2 yrs ago) sassy girls, a used car that isnt so reliable these days, and a bank account that teeters on empty but I have the live of Christ that has my back!

  25. Growing up, I don’t remember going to church much. My parents had been regular attenders when I was young (a toddler), however prior to me turning five they stopped going, so I can remember very little about church as a child. It wasn’t until I was able to drive myself (or ride with my best girlfriend) that I started attending again. I don’t know why, I just remember having a call/urge to go and hear God’s word. At that time I wasn’t going to Sunday school or attending a bible study, I just went to the sermons and heard the word. I graduated high school and went to college. I had bad habits in high school, however they were exacerbated when I was finally out on my own. I got wrapped up in many of the things that freshman girls do… parties, drinking, boys. I would still go to church every now and again, but I remember thinking, how am I living the life God intended me to when I am out partying and drinking Thursday-Saturday, and attending church hung over on Sundays? It just wasn’t right. I knew this. However, I was caught between the world and pursuing righteousness. So I continued to do what was “cool,” never realizing that I was missing out on something that was so much more awesome – a relationship with God.

    This never ending cycle continued on for 1-2 years until I met what is now my husband – and believe it or not, he worked as a bouncer at the bar that I was going to! God works in crazy ways, and I cannot even describe how thankful I am that he placed this man in my life. It was he (initially) who would help point me in the correct direction. We began going to church together, and I began to realize what it meant to be loved by our gracious Heavenly Father. I was a sinner, but God still loved me. I was baptized in 2010 in my husband’s home church and publicly declared my love for Jesus Christ. It was the same church that we were married in a year later.

    Looking back, I have changed SOOOO much. I realized that I was angry, selfish, hurt, impatient, and lonely all those years ago. I was looking for love and a place of belonging in people (who truly didn’t care about me) and substances that numbed my pain, but never made it go away. Today, with the help of so many individuals, but more importantly God, His Son, and the Holy Spirit, I am renewed. I am content. I am loved. I am calmer. I cannot say that I have everything together, but I put my trust in the one that does. My life has meaning and I plan to use it for the glory of God. I know that everything happens for a reason, and I am just so thankful that the Lord never gave up on me, but granted me grace and mercy throughout.

  26. It’s taken me a long time to say, but I am a Christian.
    My parents weren’t religious as I grew up, so I only knew the bare minimums of religion — you go to church for Christmas and you pray when you need something (kind of like a wish). I didn’t really understand any spiritual concepts, but I always felt drawn to it. I suffered from anxiety and depression after my mom got diagnosed with cancer for the second time. I was scared of so much and didn’t know how to cope with life. I developed an eating disorder and lost my love of living. When my mom passed away when I was 15, my aunt and I talked about life after death and what she believed. She bought me my first Bible. It was a great source of comfort for me, and even though I struggled with my problems for years, I slowly healed. I eventually went to a Christian university and have almost completely recovered from my anxiety and depression. Although I still have rough patches, I now have the comfort of God’s love and mercy to get me through it. I’ve got a few verses I repeat to myself when I feel anxious or down, and I pray to feel God’s love for me. So far it’s worked! I have been able to come off medication, finish school, and find a career I absolutely love. Thank you, Jesus!
    My next step is to be more open with my faith, and share how God has changed my life for the better, and sharing this testimony is the first step in that. Thanks for this post.

  27. I’m a little late but I wanted to share too!!! Love all these stories!
    I was born in Tampa, FL in 1976. I have the most amazing Daddy ever! My birth mother left when I was not even a year old. My Dad fought for custody of me and thankful won custody. My Daddy and I moved in with my Nana and Papa, my Dad’s mom and Dad. It was never a question for him, he did everything with and for me. He remarried when I was 4.5 to the woman I now call Mom. As a baby I didn’t understand why my birth mom wasn’t around. She moved to California and my Nana tells me that I would cry when she called and Nana would tell her that I just didn’t understand why I could talk to her but not see her. Then when my Daddy remarried I had to leave my home for a new home. Again, I didn’t understand! We went to a smaller church and around the age of 5 I accepted Jesus into my life. I vaguely remember things from that period in my life but I know the Lord’s hand was at work in my life long before I accepted Him into my life. You see, my birth mother is a drug addict and an alcoholic. She won’t admit it and tries her best to hide it. I’ve had to distance myself from her because of her actions and the toxic way about her. I think in her own way she loves me but she’s unhealed and broken and therefore so is her “love”. She was in and out of my life growing up. Sometimes she would pick me up for her weekends, sometimes she wouldn’t. I think the pain my Daddy felt was worse than sitting with a packed bag waiting for her to show up. At some point in my life I was very angry with her. I was angry for the way she didn’t show up, the way she put everyone before me, and how she felt like she could just buy me back. To make things even more wonderful, there were many times I didn’t get along with my step-mom. So much tension is created in a broken marriage when children are involved. I truly feel like the Lord’s hand was in all the times Sunny didn’t show up to pick me up. I can vividly remember her picking me up just to drop me of around the corner at someone’s home who she was just meeting. Again, God’s hand was at work because I’m still alive to tell my story! I also believe the Lord’s hand was at work during the times I wasn’t getting along with my step-mom. I feel as if even these moments of butting heads with my step-mom now shows me that she cared enough to get worked up about things or to tell me no when I needed to hear it. These things aren’t always seen when you are in the situation. Since I’ve gotten older I’ve been able to really look at my past and realize that God has been woven into my life since birth! I could continue to tell you some scary stories but I’ll move on to happier times. I’m married with three amazing kiddos. I have a step-son that is 21, another son who is 6, and a daughter who is 3. Did I mention the doctors told me, after a boarder-line stage 4 endometriosis diagnosis, that I wouldn’t be able to have kids? God was truly at work here! How can you look at this situation and NOT see God’s hand? I had a step-mom and now I am one. I learned from an amazing woman what it is to be selfless to another person’s child. What it is like to “not really” be a parent and yet have all the responsibilities. My husband and I married in 2008 and without any drugs or medical intervention found out we were expecting a few months later. Then in 2011 we found out we were expecting again! My husband is not saved (YET!) but I know that the Lord is working in his life even if I don’t see it as clear as the nose on my face. My God is awesome, forgiving, merciful, loving, gracious, powerful, so very powerful, and loves me with all my flaws. He has given me the strength to walk through the storms of life that would have flattened me. It’s not easy to do life with a pre-believer as your husband. It’s not easy to raise children when your husband is a pre-believer. Regardless of the circumstances I KNOW the Lord will bring me through all of this and my children will be cared for and protected by the Lord. My children have a heart for the Lord. My perspective continues to change and my focus is getting stronger. I no longer look at the negative side of things and believe that the Lord will ALWAYS redeem all of my faults. As long as I allow God to work in my life I know that I will come out on top and will be exactly where the Lord wants me to be. Looking ahead may be daunting at times but if I live in the now, because that is where Jesus in with me, I know that He will help me to accomplish anything I set my mind to. I encourage you to spend time in prayer not only for the things you need but for others who might need the same thing. There is so much power in prayer. I feel I don’t pray enough but it’s a goal that I’m working on. Something my pastor said that has really turned my thinking around…. “Stop telling God about your problems and start telling your problems about your God!” Powerful words and so needed to hear. Press on and work with the Lord to stay calm in the storms of life. Be a light to everyone and allow the Holy Spirit to lead every part of you. With Him, ANYTHING is possible!

  28. Hi Courtney! I have been a long time reader of yours, but I don’t often comment! I have never really thought of writing my testimony down before, although I know how important it is to my Christian witness. You inspired me today to write it down, so I only feel it is fair to share it here for the first time for all to see. Thank you for your constant inspiration to be a better woman, wife, and follower of the King!

    My Testimony:

    I grew up in a “Spiritual” home. My Mother was a seeker, and often looking for something to complete her and make her feel whole. As a result, I was exposed to many different ideas when it came to religion. At five, I learned to read and my first book that I read was a children’s Bible. At that point in my life, my mother identified as a Christian and we went to church at least monthly.

    Through the years, my Mother followed various schools of thought when it came to religion, and I soon distanced myself from God. When facing times of trouble, I would pick up the small Bible inside my nightstand and flip to a random page, plopping my finger down and reading the scripture that laid under it. Occasionally it would bring me some comfort, but it often brought further confusion.

    There was a time in my life, throughout the early years of high school, that I prayed every single night, asking for forgiveness and praying for those I loved. I never had difficulty believing in God the Father, it was Jesus that I had difficulty with. I hadn’t been to a church since I was 11 years old, and even then it was a Christmas service at a Catholic church that my Step-Father’s Mother attended. Her and I went together every year that my Mother was with my Step-Father, and although I never found Jesus there, it did bring me comfort to be in my Father’s house again.

    Although I was certainly guilty of sin throughout my childhood and teenaged years, the last year of High School brought on troubles that I had not faced before. I began attending parties regularly, and as I result I ended up experimenting with alcohol and drugs. When I graduated, I moved out with 3 other friends and found a full-time job. Once I reached 19 years old, I spent many nights downtown at the bars. A few short months later, I met the man that became my Husband.

    When I met my Husband, we were both at dark points in our lives. I had transformed from a “Goody two-shoes” to a party girl seemingly overnight, and he was struggling with alcohol and drug addiction. For some reason, we were drawn to each other. He gave up his drug of choice immediately after meeting me, and less than a month later we called each other boyfriend and girlfriend.

    For a while, we enjoyed drinking and partying together, after all, it was under these circumstances that we met. We bonded quickly, and soon we spent almost every night together under the same roof. When I moved back into my Mother’s home less than a year later, he moved with me and that is when it became apparent that he struggled with alcohol at a level that was not normal.

    As he struggled with his addiction, alcohol became less and less appealing to me, and I no longer spent my weekends at parties or downtown. I could not enjoy it in the same way that I had, seeing the effect that it had on the man I loved. I begged him to give it up, and he promised every time that he would. But he never did.

    One day, while waiting to see what state he would come home in, I got down on my knees in my bedroom and prayed for the first time in years. I asked God to help him stop, for him to realize what a grip it had on him and how it was affecting our relationship. He came home, and he was drunk again.

    But the faith I discovered as a child was strong, and I knew that God would find a way somehow.
    Less than one month later I received the answer to my prayer.

    He had crashed his car, and was in the ICU at the hospital. Immediately, I knew that God was at work. During his stay at the hospital, we had a discussion and we were both agreed that God had kept him alive for a reason and a purpose, and I begged him to clean up. He said he would.
    And he did. After two relapses, he started seeing an addictions counsellor and spent some time at a local rehab program. And now, 6 years later, he is clean and sober, without relapse. Praise the Lord!

    But I’m getting ahead of myself. You’d think that after such a miracle, I would return to my Father and seek His ways and His Word. But I had a few years yet.

    After his accident, we moved in with his parents as he recovered. At the hospital, I had taken a pregnancy test only to find out it was positive. We met with our mothers and decided that an abortion was the best option. I remember wanting to keep the baby, but having so much fear and doubt in my Husband’s recovery. I was certain he would relapse again, that we would break up, and I would be forced to raise a child alone. So even though it went against my better judgement, it felt like the best and most logical option at the time. I didn’t have the foresight to see how greatly I would regret this decision, and how deeply it would wound my heart.

    We had to travel for the procedure, and I remember wanting so badly to turn around and go home. But I couldn’t. We had spent so much money and time, and how were we ever going to raise a baby? On the plane ride home, I cried and prayed for the first time since that fateful prayer on my bedroom floor and I was convinced that we were going to crash as punishment for our sins. We arrived home safe, but I was broken, and I would remain that way for a long time.

    I cried myself to sleep many nights, and I gained weight, and I became depressed, and I fell into a pit that I wouldn’t find my way out of for many years. Not until, of course, I met Jesus.
    Almost a year after moving into an apartment of our own, I felt the call to leave my job. I was stressed, and broken, and I felt like I needed a change and new start. I had full intentions of finding a job after a week or two of relaxation and reflection, as I had never had trouble finding a full time job in my field before. But this time was different. I was getting few callbacks, and even fewer in person interviews. I began to feel hopeless. But it was during this time when I felt the most humbled, insecure, and incompetent that I would meet the One who was holding my hand all along. In my darkness, and my despair, and deep into the pit I had fallen into I found the hand of Jesus, and He pulled me out of that pit and put me on solid ground and forever changed the direction and purpose of my life. In my darkest hour, and in my fear and sadness and amidst evil my Husband prayed the Lord ’s Prayer with me and it was like all the lights in the house finally came on. Jesus was the answer, He was the answer all along.

    I purchased a Bible and I wrote in it, highlighted it, and studied it until I wore the pages in. I read every book I could get my hand on, I found blogs and articles and websites totally dedicated to spreading the gospel and encouraging a relationship with God. I couldn’t get enough, and best of all I had all the hours of the day to read and study and pray. I began praying for a job, shortly after, I received a call from a previous employer who wanted me to come aboard with her new company, although it would be a delayed start, as a position was not yet available but would open up in few months’ time.

    I felt blessed to finally have a job opportunity, and grateful to God for rewarding my faith in him. I look back at this time of my life as one of the most significant, as this is where I had the opportunity to grow in my faith and in the knowledge of the Lord. I read the Bible endlessly, and I remember feeling at complete peace. It felt so right and I felt so close to God.

    My Husband proposed to me on Christmas Eve of that year and we were married the following September. I was baptized and received the Holy Spirit in the summer before our wedding. I felt tremendous guilt that we had made so many mistakes and sinned so greatly against God in our time together, but through that sin and death and destruction, He brought beauty and in time, He will bring Glory to His name.

    I grow every day in my faith, and in my relationship with Jesus. My life is radically different now. Once, I was one who was consumed with the world and all it had to offer. Now, I have been transformed and made new in the Holy Spirit. It is my greatest joy to serve the Lord through serving others, and my Marriage is better than I could ever imagine. My Husband and I often talk about how we feel that all the things from our past feel like they happened a lifetime ago. We have truly been born again, and I feel like such a different person. Although I feel remorse for the sins of my past, I know that they have been forgiven by the blood of the Lamb and that through my brokenness, I shine His light more clearly. I look forward to the days ahead of me, and I pray that we will be blessed with children in time that we can raise to love and fear God, and one day share our testimony with them. I look forward to the day I can serve my Husband, my family, and God’s people full time, but in this season of working and waiting, I am satisfied and know that I am walking in God’s will. I pray that all will come to know the peace, freedom, and joy that comes from laying ourselves down and surrendering to the will and the way of God.

    #IamAChristian

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