God's Story In Me

"Jesus paid it all, all to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain He washed it white as snow." -Jesus Paid It All

Today we were able to attend one of three different churches. I was fortunate enough to attend the church I went to when I was here last summer. This church is in a township near Cape Town and is run by a group of people that invested many kids in our FCA camp last summer. I was able to see some of the girls and boys that were in my huddle last year and two of the guys that helped us lead. I was so excited when I learned a few days ago that we were going to this church. It's a very small (inside what used to be a garage), sweet church. One thing that I really like about this church is that they give the kids a lot of authority. Two of my campers from last year help lead the worship, one boy is the "emcee" of the services and keeps track of the schedule. They also get up and dance in the middle of the aisle. I love that. They form a line and the "leader" provides the dance move for everyone else to copy. Most of the congregation joins in, even the really young kids who have more rhythm than most American adults. It's amazing to see people from around the world praising Jesus and the ways they choose to do it. I would love to be able to dance during church back home and have it be a normal thing. After they did a few songs, it was our team's turn to share. Charles and I volunteered yesterday to share our testimonies during the service. I went first and got nervous when it was about two minutes before I had to get up in front of everyone. I thought I'd share the written down version with you, so below is God's story in my life:

I was raised in Christian homes, went to church every Sunday, and Christian schools until college. When I was 6 years old I understood that because of my sin I was separated from God. I knew I was a sinner. Jesus came and died for my sin, and because of His resurrection I now had a chance for salvation. I decided then that I wanted to accept God's love and mercy and that was the day I became a Christian. 

Throughout elementary, middle, and high school I lived a good life. I never got in trouble, I did well in school, I listened during church, and was learning about God. And although I was a Christian I was still missing out on this personal, daily relationship with the Lord. I continued to try to be good apart from Christ. 

Because of my lack of dependence on God I began struggling with issues with body image and began trying to find my identity in guys. In February of 2011 I heard about this FCA trip missions trip. I can't explain it to you other than saying it was a God thing, but as soon as I heard the words "South Africa" I knew I would be on this trip. Absolutely no reservations of any kind. It took me traveling to a different country, on a different continent, being completely stripped of everyday distractions for me to actually listen to the things GOd had been telling me for months. That first week I was in South Africa we focused on the passage in John 15 that talks about the Vine and the Branches and how He will prune away things that will keep us from bearing fruit. "I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit." (John 15:1-2) I finally realized how important this is and began watching willfully as He started pruning things in my own life. Up until this point I had secured my salvation in Christ, but this was when my heart was actually transformed and I desired to be a true follower of Christ. 

Over this past year I have learned so much and have grown in so many ways because I want Him, I want that close relationship. It's still a process though. I'm still letting Him prune things from my life that will allow me to look more like Him. John 15:4 "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me."

Thanks for listening/reading. I would love to share more with anyone that wants to know about the amazing things God has done and shown me throughout my life. He has blessed me in so many ways and I am so incredibly thankful that I can call myself a daughter of the King.

I hope your day is brighter now than before, if anything you've just read has inspired or encouraged you thank the Lord; for it is His Spirit that flows through my body, my heart, and through my fingertips as I wrote this. Bless you.