If you are a Christian, you have a testimony. Your testimony doesn't have to be as giant of a leap as, you were so far away from God and He suddenly rescued you one day, when you saw the light. Although, that's wonderful if your testimony is like that.
However, my testimony isn't really like that and I have never shared it before. I feel it's so important to put yours out there, because non-believers really need to understand where you were at one point in your life. They need to see that Christians aren't perfect, we are just rescued, and they can be too. So here it is... I have always thought of myself as a Christian. I was saved and baptized at an early age. I was a church attendee regularly, but I didn't read the Bible, I didn't pray spirit filled prayers, and I didn't worship Him like I should have been. I wasn't close to God and didn't totally understand Him. Although, it wasn't till a couple of years ago, that I realized, I wasn't living to share Christ's glory. I wasn't living to please Him. I was living and that is all. Just living, letting each day pass by, not leaving a mark or impact on the world. I had a purpose, and I just wasn't serving it. It was my first year to try out for school cheerleader, however, I had done all star cheerleading before. I befriended Mallory (which I'm still friends with today, HEY MAL!), and she was a strong Christian. She had a fire for the Lord. We both made cheerleader, went to summer camp, and she made the biggest impact on my life. Ultimately, she lead me back to Christ. We studied the Bible together that summer. We prayed together. Those are the kinds of friends you need in life. I am surrounded with those friends. I fell back in love with Jesus. I know I'm not the only girl she has impacted. I, personally, know of others that will tell you, Mallory is the reason they are where they are today. There is a special place in Heaven for her. She changed everything for me. I drew to Christ. I renewed my faith. I found love. I found forgiveness. I found grace. I found a desire to know God. I was a new person. Fast forward to about last year, I wasn't in a good place in my life anymore. I was angry, upset, hurt. I had prayers that were not being answered and I was in a dark place. I questioned my faith. I'm going to be honest here and not sugar coat it, I questioned God. But I started attending church on Wednesday nights and befriended another sweet, young lady. Her name is Ellie. She encouraged me. I started talking to Ellie and I realized that we had a lot of the same interests. Even in my darkest times, one of my biggest goals and callings in life is to be able to travel to Africa on a mission trip. I have always felt a tug at my heartstrings to go into missionary work, but the cost is so expensive. Ellie had recently went to Africa and got to experience all the things I want, so desperately, to experience. I came back to church each Wednesday night (aka youth night) and had a blast each time. Ellie was a rock and helped me grow as a Christian. I said before, I was in a dark place because I needed answers from God. Some of those prayers still aren't answered today, but I have found peace with it. I guess it wasn't in God's plan for me. Things don't always turn out the way you want, and that's okay. You don't get everything you want in life. You can't plan out your life. God already has it planned out. You just have to allow Him to use you and create a future for you. It's not in my hands, I gave all my burdens to God. That's why I'm not in that dark place anymore. I soon learned my purpose and invited other wonderful friends to attend church services with me. Brooke, Toni, and Lacey come to church with me each Wednesday and it's incredible. We pray, worship, and love the Lord together. We support, encourage, help, and guide each other. Another wonderful friend of mine is a pastors daughter, Annelise, and we encourage each other. I have surrounded myself with positive people; they build me up. I have also been blessed with parents & family that love me unconditionally and they have poured the love, grace, and mercy of Jesus into me, from an early age. I am not where I need to be in my walk with God. I can go deeper and farther. I will go deeper and farther. But wouldn't be where I am right now in my walk with Christ, if it wasn't for them. I see life in a completely different perspective. I have faith and I have strong, Christian friendships. I have many wonderful friends, that I couldn't even write them all down. They know who they are. They know they hold a special place in my heart. It makes all the difference in the world on how you choose your friends. Mine have just happened to change my life. Who you hang around with is who you act like. I want to encourage you too. Share your testimony with whoever you think might need it. You don't ever know how it will change their life. If you looked at me from the outside back then, you never would have known I was going through a hard time. I was blessed to meet wonderful friends that encouraged me to renew my relationship with Christ. I didn't have to take that leap by myself. I know not everyone will have that person in their life so, I will volunteer myself to be that person for you. I'll help, if you need me to, because it's hard to go through that alone. Shoot me a text, message, dm, or comment to me and I'll pray with you. I will encourage you. I want to be a world changer and I want you to be one too!
Psalm 119:125 (KJV) 125 I am thy servant; give me understanding, that I may know thy testimonies. 17 I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness; I will sing the praises of the name of the LORD Most High. (Psalm 7:17 NIV)
4 Comments
mal
4/6/2017 08:00:09 pm
Ali, as I sit his with tears of joy in my eyes I thank God for our friendship who knew that one day when I decided to tryout for cheer that he had both of us in mind, let alone that cheer camp when we read our bibles and prayed even though we were so so tired. I give God the glory for all of this. I'm so happy we are friends and I really cannot wait to see what God has in store for you. I love reading your blogs❤I love you so much. love mal❤
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Let NSA Hyche
4/7/2017 04:02:41 pm
Okay Ali, that made me cry. I love you & I'm so thankful that you have a heart for The Lord! I'm also thankful that you are Annelise's friend.
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Ali b.
4/7/2017 05:41:38 pm
I am blessed to have Annelise. She is such a sweet girl!! ?
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