Recently I was baptized, which as a Christian, is a public declaration of faith. The physical act of baptism symbolizes the change that has taken place in our hearts and minds when we accept Jesus Christ into our lives. We were dead in our sin, but with Christ we are made alive and new. I am sharing my story with the hope that it will encourage others:
Over the last few months
through sermons, a bible study by Matt Chandler, and baptism classes I’ve been
reminded of a lot of very true things, and I’ll be sharing some of these things
in my testimony. But let me start with my childhood– although I’ve lived in
Winnipeg for nearly 10 years, I grew up in Boissevain, MB – a small town of about 1500 people.
I didn’t grow up in a Christian family – however I never believed this put me at a disadvantage spiritually. Although Christian support was not a part of my upbringing, God provided me
with an encouraging Christian community outside of home. Growing up in a small
town allowed me to develop long-standing friendships with believers my age.
These Christian friends and their parents would invite me to come to Vacation
Bible School and Girl’s Club, and encouraged my parents to let me join in these communities.
So at a young age I began to learn about Jesus
at these Christ-centered activities. But I had a very inquisitive mind and I
would question and wonder about God and who He was. As I grew older, with these
friends by my side, I found positive and fulfilling experiences in these Christian
communities. I didn’t attend church, but I went to Junior and Senior Youth Group throughout
school, and began to build a relationship with Jesus, learning about Him and
seeing His character reflected in my friends and other mature Christians.
It wasn’t until I was 14 years old and attending
a teen week at Gospel Light Bible Camp when I would say I became a follower of
Christ. After Chapel, our camp pastor invited us to stay and talk, or pray, if
we felt led. I noticed others were staying back so I stayed as well. I spoke
with the Pastor and as we were talking about Jesus, I had this revelation wash
over me. It became clear to me that I wanted Christ to take the throne in my
life and live in my heart. So the pastor prayed with me – I asked for
forgiveness of my sins, and I surrendered my life to Jesus. Making that choice
was a life-changing decision – I was now free to serve and love God.
When I moved to Winnipeg after graduation I lost
a lot of immediate Christian contacts.
I made new friends, but many of them didn’t share my convictions and I was slowly drifting away from God. But God was faithful. He has placed
fellow Christians in my life during university, in my jobs, and in college
throughout the years. I can look back now and see that God has woven some very special people into my life. God
provided community for me, because we were never meant to walk this faith journey
alone.
This past year has been an especially
challenging year, with 2 close family members struggling in their health at the
same time. Any of you who have had an illness in the family understands
what an indescribable burden it can be. My family has been presented with very trying times in
the past while, and I’ve been stressed and broken to the point where going to sleep was the only refuge my mind seemed to have. But throughout this year,
God has been faithful – to my parents, he has provided amazingly supportive
friends.
To me, I have been recently reminded of some
very comforting truths through a sermon by Pastor Darryl at McDiarmid Alliance
Church in Brandon and the Matt Chandler bible study. That is, God can redeem
all the pain and suffering we endure for His greater purpose and will (Romans 8:28). How
amazing is that? That every hardship we face could mean something, because God
works all things, not just some things, but ALL things for the good of those who
love Him. Sometimes in difficult times we ask “why me?” – well I ask “why not
me?” – In our study, Matt pointed out the humbling truth that God doesn’t owe
us anything. He doesn’t owe me a job, good health, a husband, or any of the
earthly things we tend to overvalue. But God is with me and cares for me, and
He is enough. My human mind is limited – I don’t know how the trials and tribulations
of this world will work out, but God does. As Proverbs 3:5-6 states, instead of
leaning on my own understanding, I should simply acknowledge God in all of my
ways, and trust Him.
Psalm 9, verse 10 reads: “Those who know your name trust in you, for you, LORD, have never
forsaken those who seek you.”
Today, I still make lots of mistakes, I’m still
pretty selfish, and sometimes I believe the enemy’s lies, but I know that God
continues to work in me. I don’t always know what God wants me to do, or where
He wants me to go, but I want to be willing to push aside earthly things and
selfish ambition to pursue Him and serve Him. I believe a life devoted to
glorifying God is the most meaningful life possible and God will equip us with
all we need to do so. I chose to get baptized because I was encouraged by
Pastor Tony’s sermon earlier this year, and simply because God has commanded us
to do so when we believe, as an act of faithful obedience to Him for others to
see. We are saved by faith, not by acts, but these acts can serve a purpose.
God chose to redeem me when I was an unworthy
sinner. There is nothing I can do that could earn the grace and love He gave me
so freely, and there is nothing that can separate me from His love. I look
forward to experiencing what God has planned for me as I press on through the highs
and lows of this life. I think it amazing that God can go before me and also
walk beside me at the same time- and together we’re going to walk, with purpose
and hope towards the unimaginable glory that is yet to come.
--
I encourage you to turn to God in spite of all that life throws at us. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. (1 Peter 5:7). Here are a couple of resources that have really resonated with me:
The Village Church (Matt Chandler is the lead pastor - he is honest yet encouraging, practical, and his messages aim straight at your heart). I heard about The Village Church many years ago and follow them on social media. Matt has my utmost respect, and a powerful testimony as well. TVC has many resources online including sermons. Matt's "To Live is Christ To Die is Gain" bible study is particularly good.
Beth Moore is an amazing woman of God and hilarious as well. Her Esther bible study provides a very enlightening study of scripture. I'm sure they are all very good though. God is definitely at work in her women's ministry, and any ladies out there should definitely check her studies out and follow her on Twitter! @BethMooreLPM
