16 days 'til Easter and Hillsong has started a church-wide effort to spread the love of Christ throughout the city. There's something everyday from encouraging three people to writing a thank-you note. The small pamphlet is such a brilliantly creative, yet completely practical way to show love. Once again, the team has fully equipped us to be on mission (MISSION DEI).
Today's bit is to "share your testimony with someone" and since I didn't have the opportunity to share with someone in the city, I figured I'll use what I have (this blog) to be on mission. After all, that's my hope for this space: that it would lead people to Jesus in small and great ways, whatever that looks like for everyone who ends up here.
As you read this, please try and read it with a smile on my face. I say nothing out of bitterness, blame, or regret. I love my parents and have been healed from anger and an unforgiving spirit. Forgiveness freed me. Forgiving freed me.
With that said, here's the "short bus ride" version of my testimony:
My parents got divorced with I was about 3 or 4. The God I "knew" was the God who took dads away, so that's the God I grew up knowing. God didn't really factor into my life one way or the other, good or bad. My mom became really abusive towards my sister and I, but I've always been a happy girl. I suppose I just thought things were normal; all kids had a bit of what was my everyday, right?
Things were fine.
But when I was 13 I got in some trouble with the law (which is all the detail you get in the "short bus ride" version). So the last resort I had was to bargain with God. You know the prayer, "God, if you get me out of here I'll never (fill in the blank) again." And the next day I was out.
Three things came out of that:
1. I had just met Jesus for the first time (I didn't become a Christian, I just met Him)
2. it's the first time I knew God was real
3. and maybe He wasn't such a bad guy
So from then on things went back to my normal. When I was 16 there was another incident with my mom and my sister and I ended up moving in with our dad and his new family.
He made my sister and I go to church and youth group.
It was awful.
No one talked to us. My sister had a lip piercing. I had an eyebrow piercing. And none of the kids talked to us.
It sucked.
And then of course my dad signed us up for summer camp...
When the other students realized I wasn't who they assumed me to be (and that I'm actually awesome), things got better and I made friends. The third day of camp, Stewie (the speaker) talked about how you play different roles in your life, specifically the fool.
I knew that was exactly who I was. I was playing the fool.
I had been hopping from group to group, from the preps to the punks, trying to fit in.
I was playing the fool. Searching for identity.
That night I fell in love with Jesus.
And from there it's been a journey.
Not always easy, not always tough, but I've never felt lost like I was before.
Since July 15, 2005 I have always felt identified, noticed, counted, and cared for by God.
My prayer is that in some way this encourages you and that you would know your testimony is powerful. Every story of salvation is a rescue story; get excited about it! Don't keep good news to yourself. And don't keep The Good News to yourself.
Tomorrow's goal is to encourage 3 people.
Have a go at it :)
