Phase I
I was born at a very young age to a loving family! We went to a traditional church but during adolescence I realized it wasnāt that meaningful to me.
Phase II
When I was 16 tragedy rocked my world when my beloved brother died of cancer. And since we had prayed a lot for him to be healed, I became upset with God. Very upset
Very VERY upset.
VERY Very VERY upset.
In fact the night my brother died, I made a fist (mightāve even been the finger), held it up toward heaven & with burning anger & resolve told God āIf this is how You are, I donāt want ANYTHING to do with You.ā
Phase III
That began a 3 year period of rebellion & escape.
At first, mild in temperature then progressing to flaming craziness.
I would first find great joy & excitement in a new āadd-onā but then realize it wasnāt enough. So I went deeper into the dark. But when I graduated (or I should say - descended) to the next level, the same stark realization overwhelmed me.
I didnāt know it at the time but as much as I was being fueled by rebellion against God I was also desperately & unknowingly medicating an unseen pain. Partly from my brotherās death & from other things that happened to me in my childhoodā¦.I looked good on the outside but on the inside (where no one could see, maybe not even me fully) I was deeply wounded.
Phase IV
Facing a gaping emptiness. Long story shortā¦ By this time I was at college (one far away which only had an 18 year old drinking age vs. the 21 age in my home state).
Even though I had been a decent student all my life, my lifestyle had taken a heavy toll (as if I cared at the time). But when I was put on academic probation it was a bit of a wake up call.
Well, I had 2 very important mid-term exams coming up so I simply reasoned Iād just cut out the partying & extracurriculars for 2 weeks & go to the library instead. Iād study & prepare hard for I was confident that I could upright the ship.
I was wrong & when I flunked the one & scored a D on the other I was shell shocked. It was the āicing on the cakeā which allowed me to see my need of rescue: I came to the end of myself. And thanks to Godās grace, the God who never stopped loving meā¦. I finally stopped running.
Phase V
In my dorm room I said out loud to God (something like) āIf You are real...reveal Yourself to me. I need to be rescuedā.
I began to read a Bible my Mom had given to me the previous Christmas, & the words ācame aliveā!
Through what some people called being āborn againā or getting āsavedā (the terms donāt matter ā it is reality of the transformation that counts), He took up my invitation & transformed me from the inside out. He replaced my shame with His acceptance, despair with hope, isolation with belonging.
As it says in the Gospel of John 5:24,
I crossed over from death to life!
I began a relationship with the Lord God (note that I didnāt say with a āreligionā: for Rescue does not come from just a set of doās & donāts).
A knowing occurs that cannot really be explained until you surrender (by faith) into His loving arms.
[For you Matrix fans, kind of like when Morpheos told Neo, he had to see the Matrix for himself ā¦an explanation couldnāt do justiceā¦]
take the Red Pill!
Thereās an astounding verse in the New Testament that says:
āTherefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh and new has come!ā
2 Corinthians 5:17 (AMP version)
I attest that this is true!
And that it is wonderfulā¦..the Lord is wonderful!
Am I perfect now? Far from it
Do I ever stumble & fall in areas I shouldnāt dabble in? Unfortunately yes,
but He helps me remember Iāve been down that road, I know where it goes & I donāt want to go there. And as I choose to receive His abundant mercy He leads me back! Thank You Lord!
For when I turn my heart back to Him (repent) & ask for forgivenessHe restores my soul! He is a good good Shepherd!
I urge youā¦call upon the Lord.
He IS calling YOU! Receive His gift of salvation ā¦ There is great hope for you!!!