Saved by His Grace...
Bought by His blood...
Would you believe me if I told you I was turning 7 this year? (I know I probably look like it). No, really...I'm not trying to be funny or weird here. You see, biologically speaking, I was born in September 21, 1979, but I really didn't start living until that one Sunday afternoon on October 25, 1993 as I took the step to accept the most precious gift God had for me all along...His salvation.
All through my childhood, I pretty much grew up in church.When we first moved to Costa Rica (a country all across the world that my parents had never heard of), we were nonbelievers. The reason why my parents decided to move to a total strange country is still unknown to me, although as I look back, I can really say that God has a master plan for everybody, even before we know Him. Moving to Costa Rica, my family was able to accept Christ as Savior.
Church had always been a special place for me. When I was very young, I only knew how to speak Taiwanese, and since my family started attenting a Mandarin church, that's where I learned it. As a little girl, I never really understood why we went to church. I just figured it was something we had to do on Sundays. I loved it because I got to hear wonderful stories, color with crayons, and play with some of the best friends I've had since childhood.
As I grew up, I began to know God more and decided it was time to accept Him as Savior when I turned 14. At first, I was like any other new Christian- full of passion for Christ and wanting to seek Him more each day. But as time when by and I came closer to high school, I realized that there were many times when I was embarrased of what I believed in. My strong convictions started to fade little by little; I became "wishy-washy" due to my preoccupation with getting people to like me. I made popularity the top of my check list and had multiple personalities depending on who I was with. I managed to get away with many things, mainly because I was such a good liar and was able to look innocent. On Sundays, I wore my best mask. I was so good at fooling people...actually managed to fool myself sometimes.
My life continued like this for quite a while, but somehow, I felt God speaking to me, trying to get me to go back to Him. Many times, I had really wished He would quit bothering me so much...He wouldn't do it, and I'm glad He didn't.
For some reason, God started using me, (of all people!), to help lead sing praises to Him at Spanish churches; although surprisingly, my life was still a bit of a wretch. Senior year was a hard year. People say that through high school, teenagers try to "find" themselves. Well, I tried the hardest that year. In the period of 6 months, I went through 3 boyfriends, all in the name of "finding myself" when all along God just wanted me to look at Him. College was a big blurr. Major in Preschool Education or get an English degree in a Costa Rican university or maybe study in the States? I could still hear God...that very distictive voice I wanted to get rid of so badly at times. I couldn't win after much arm wrestling though, and I was tired.
I finally gave up because I knew there was no way to win. My last source was trusting Him with my life. I didn't know where I would end up after high school and what I would study, but I wanted Him to do the choosing for me. I had made too many wrong ones already.
God took full control of all things, and things became to clear up. What took me so long to ask Him for help in my life? A couple of months before graduating, I was at peace. He had done the choosing for me and I couldn't have been happier! He opened the doors for me to study at Ouachita Baptist University, majoring in music and minoring in Christian couseling! (I have a very strong feeling this is just a little training for what He chose for me.) Pretty different from Preschool Education or English, don't you think?
....He had a master plan even before I knew Him... Why would He lead my former Atheist family all the way across the ocean to an unfamiliar country? It seems so obvious to me now. I was to meet my Savior along with my parents and older brother.
I've always wondered why that unmistakable voice that bothers me so much at times never goes away...It's taken me almost 21 years to understand something so simple. Seven years ago, I said yes to Him. I was saved by His grace and bought by His blood...My price was fully paid and He put His mark on me. I became His property that day.
So, yes, I'm turning 7 this year. How old are you?
4/21/00
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