From the time I was little, Jesus was a part of my life. My mom and dad took me to church, and I was exposed to the Truth of Jesus–that He was Almighty God and His gift of salvation was our only hope. My mom modeled a real pursuit of Christ as her Lord and I was greatly impacted by her faith. I wanted to be acceptable to Jesus. I wanted Him to be proud of me. I wanted Him to guide my life, and I had a real awareness of His omnipotence from adolescence. Even typing this, you’d think I was a saint.
I wasn’t.
I was baptized around age 7, and I prayed the official sinner’s prayer maybe 1,000 times. (I’d like to think that’s a severe exaggeration, but I’m honestly not sure it is.) At 11, I had an honest conversation with God–a prayer that lasted what felt like hours–and He spoke to my heart for the first time through His written Word. Yet with all of that, my heart had a lean for rebellion. I wanted to be popular, to fit in, to be daring, and to “have my fun.” By the time I was a sophomore in high school, I’d lost my innocence, drank excessively, and dabbled in recreational drugs. I was a good student, a hard working athlete, but a manipulative liar. I trampled on toes, burned bridges, and became someone worth despising. At one point in my Senior year of high school, I shut in. I stopped answering my phone, would not return calls, and skipped school. I hated myself and was deeply ashamed for all the horrible choices I’d made. All the things I’d done to be a part of the crowd eventually backfired, and I was an outcast for the first time in my life. Thankfully, my parents never stopped loving me, and they would prove to be the greatest example of Christ-like longsuffering and forgiveness.
When God intervened with a scholarship to a small Christian college in Nebraska, I hoped to escape my reputation and the girl I’d become.
I didn’t.
After making the same poor choices, I had to face the truth that the problem was not my friends or my surroundings. The problem was in me. Looking back, this was a blessed revelation, as it provided the humility needed to cry out in sincere desperation. “Lord, help!”
And He did.
He revealed His Word in a way that was personal and life-altering, and He led me to be baptized. This time, it was for real. It’s been ten years now, but I can honestly look in the mirror and not feel the shame of my past. That girl is dead. By God’s grace and mercy, I am no longer promiscuous, rebellious, a liar, or a lush. Instead, my heart has been changed so greatly that I must speak of His unfailing love and faithfulness in my life. It’s proof that no choice we make is too foul for forgiveness, and no pit of despair is too deep for rescue. He has cleansed me, and He has changed me. I have not arrived at perfection, but I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good–He will hang with you through every season faithfully. So, don’t give up, don’t lose hope, and don’t forget to cry out for help. He will answer. Every. Single. Time.
Give thanks to the Lord for He is good! His faithful love endures forever. Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out! Tell others He has redeemed you from your enemies. … Some wandered in the wilderness, lost and homeless. Hungry and thirsty, they nearly died. ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and HE RESCUED THEM from their distress. HE LED THEM straight to safety … Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom, imprisoned in iron chains of misery. They rebelled against the words of God, scorning the counsel of the Most High. … ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and HE SAVED THEM from their distress. He LED THEM from the darkness and deepest gloom; HE SNAPPED THEIR CHAINS … Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Some were fools; they rebelled and suffered for their sins … ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble and HE SAVED THEM from their distress. HE SENT OUT HIS WORD AND HEALED THEM … Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Some went off to sea … observed the Lord’s power in action … their ships were tossed to the heavens and plunged again to the depths; the sailors cringed in terror … ‘Lord, help!’ they cried in their trouble, and HE SAVED THEM from their distress. HE CALMED THE STORM … Let them praise the Lord for His great love and for the wonderful things He has done for them.
Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation and before the leaders of the nation.
Psalms 107:1-32 (NLT) EMPHASIS MINE
With love and sincerity,
Kaime
