Community
My Personal Testimony
I am blessed to say that I was saved when I was five years old. I grew up in a Christian household and loved Jesus ever since I can remember. From a very young age I understood the concept of sin and the gift of grace and eternal life. I would often have dreams and visions of Jesus and Heaven. However, when I was sixteen I remember I was sitting outside and began to question whether God was even real. I remember being nervous that I might be devoting my whole life to something that might not even be real. I don’t remember what made me think of something like that but I thought it. That day I asked God to show me how He has to be real. Moments after I went inside, a tornado went through my backyard and tore down two trees. I don’t know what would have happened to me if I had stayed outside for 2 more minutes. No warnings on any weather app were given and no storm was even brewing. This tornado literally came out of nowhere. I didn’t see the tornado come through my yard but I saw the evidence that it in fact had been there. I felt God was telling me that although I couldn’t see Him with my eyes there was evidence all around me that He was there. Since then I have never doubted His existence and am so sad that I ever doubted Him. I can confidently say that I love the Lord with my whole heart, whole soul, and whole mind.
I’m glad I have eternal life because I would much rather be with God forever than experience His wrath without end. Having eternal motivates me to not worry about what I have and experience in this life on earth because I know I’m only here temporarily. Eternal life is a concept that is very hard for me to grasp and imagine. However, I’m greatly moved by my salvation and mourn for people who will not experience that eternity.
I would say a huge part of my testimony comes from a year I got injured. I’m an elite athlete and I thrive in completing my planned training. However, when I broke my foot I was definitely challenged not only physically but also spiritually. I remember being so disappointed that things weren’t going according to plan. Nonetheless, I had to face the tough reality that I solely put my worth in my sport and accomplishments. Because I was unable to walk, much less compete, I remember feeling very distraught, insecure, and angry. Through my experience being injured I had to not only accept the truth that I am not in control of my life but also understand that God’s plan for me is so much better than my plan for my life. God used this injury to transform my understanding of Him and where my worth comes from. I had to learn that my life isn’t all about me, which is a pretty difficult lesson to learn. Moreover, I was so content knowing that God was with me at every appointment and every x-ray. I remember telling my mom, “I don’t know how people can live without having God with them.” Although this experience was difficult to endure while it was happening, I am so grateful to have gone through it because now I can totally surrender my plans to God, I can trust in Him regardless of my circumstances, and I know that my worth is found in Him and not what I can do on my own.
I know that in the same way that my worth isn’t found in what I have done, my salvation isn’t found in what I have done either. I wholeheartedly believe Jesus came to earth, lived a sinless life, died on a cross, and rose to life again. By defeating death, Jesus made it possible for me to live for eternity with Him. If I doubt my salvation, I am doubting Christ’s power and victory over sin including my sin.
Your testimony matters too