TESTIMONY

My story of how I became spiritually aware.

My mom took me to youth groups every Sunday when I was young. After she dropped me off, she would then go to the church service across the street. I did not enjoy myself there because I didn't know anyone, and I had trouble understanding the message. After high school, I was released from my mom's influence to continue going to youth groups. I was excited about this release because it meant I didn't need to go to youth groups or church anymore, but then a strange thought came to me. I didn't have a good reason not to go to church. Because I hadn't been to a "real" church service, and I hadn't understood the messages at the youth groups, I felt as if I was making a decision of not going to church that was not based in any reason besides my own personal desires. What would I tell people if they asked me why I didn't go anymore? I didn't have a solid reason. I decided to check out church and figure out why I shouldn't go. After high school, I visited an actual church service for the first time. I was also reading the Bible because I wanted to get the full experience. Listening to the sermons and reading the Bible helped me understand a little more about God.. It also brought up more questions about Jesus, his purpose here, and his affiliation with God. I also started having feelings of guilt about the way I was living my life. I felt very aware of my wrongdoings against myself and other people. After a few months, I was listening to a sermon at church, and I felt that for the first time I understood Jesus and his purpose. I felt as though Jesus revealed himself to me at that moment, which is exactly when I decided to ask Jesus into my life as my leader and forgiver. That night I read in the Bible something that Paul wrote about his own decision to follow Jesus that really connected with my life: Galatians 1:11- "the gospel (Jesus and his good news for us) is not something that people made up. I (Paul) did not receive it (gospel) from any person, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ." That day, I felt the guilt of all the wrong lifted. I was encouraged and excited about Jesus. I started to serve him through loving other people as I became more involved with ministry work through the church.