Amanda's Story

Eternal life is something I can enjoy right now - it invades the mundane with joy, the uncertain with peace, and the difficult with love. It flows from a relationship with God, who has consistently revealed Himself to me as present, concerned, merciful, gentle, and awe-inspiring.

The first time I heard God speak to me, He said the word, "homeschool!" I was 16, had been in the US for 2 years, and had no idea what that was. I was instantly moved to do it, and it resulted in me being able to skip 11th grade and graduate a year early. The next time I heard God speak to me, it was when I was trapped in a dangerous circumstance - I was terrified! I heard clearly: "Don't be afraid! I am with you. You are here to watch and observe!" From that point forward I had peace, survived the ordeal, and have better discernment today because of it. The third time I heard God speak to me was several years later; we had recently been through a harrowing two-year custody battle. I cried out to God about how unjust it all seemed. He said, "You will laugh for joy over the custody battle!" God speaks to my heart in smaller ways more regularly through the Bible and in times of prayer with insight, conviction, and clarity on the path ahead. But those three moments I described were audible and shocking, not at all what I expected - they remind me that God is aware, He cares about every detail, and He has a master plan in which even the most painful moments work out for our good if we trust Him.

Through faith in Jesus, I have a relationship with a God who is real, beyond my control, and incredibly powerful. He is at work in every circumstance and gives me reassurance through His Spirit that I am His and He is actively preserving my life!