Who said it would be easy?

[ktisallred]

I’ve went to church my whole life. This already sounds like an average testimony. But it’s anything but average. Like I said, I’ve went to church my whole life, but I lived in this world my whole life too. Well, until the day God came down and changed all that. My name is Katie, I’m 17 years old and I’m standing here today by the grace and glory of God.
I started church when I was four. I went every time I could get there, usually by church van. I became a "believer" when I was ten. Not a Christian, and definitely not saved. Let’s get it correct, right now, that believing and being saved are totally different. I publicly professed that I believed in Jesus when I was ten and I did. But there’s one thing missing, I didn’t have my life changed. I was still little Katie, but now everyone thought I was a Christian. The church didn’t have to worry about my salvation anymore. And I thought I didn’t have to either.
When I was 14 I was going through a really rough time with depression and anxiety. Those are my demons. That’s what the devil gets me with every time without fail. Until one weekend, I said God, enough’s enough. It was a DiscipleNOW weekend (August 2004) and I was like, "God, this is it, You move out of my way or You move me out of Your way." God completely changed me that weekend. I know that if Jesus hadn’t taken my hand that night, I wouldn’t be the same person, or I might not even be here.
Since then God’s been doing big things with me. I prayed that God would use me for His glory and He did that. Everything I am, is by His hands and not my own. I got re-baptized when I was 17 (December 2006). I wanted everyone to know, I was brought into new life. That with my salvation came a transformed life. Like Paul says in Galations 2:20, "I’ve been crucified with Christ and I no longer live but Christ lives in me. Life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God; who loved me and gave Himself for me."
As part of being an outspoken Christian, a lot of people think, "Woah you’re life must be really easy now." But it’s the direct opposite, it’s harder than I’d ever imagined it to be. But God’s there now, to help me. The world would say, "God will never put more on you than you could handle" but now as a follower of Christ I know God will always put more on his children than they can handle so they’ll know to lean on Him, He’s the only way out. Let Him carry your burden.
Finally, the only words I really have to say to close up comes from Paul, again, in Philippians 3:12-14, "I’m not saying I’m perfect at this, or that I have it made. All I’m saying is that I’m forgetting what is behind me and straining to what is ahead, which is Christ Jesus. He is the prize, and I’m off and running."

 

[CarlenePryor]

Beautiful

Our pastor just got back from an International Pastor's conference, he came back with a new light in where he needed to change himself. One of his realisations was that he needs to stop thinking the Christian life is so easy too, as a Pastor he needs to expect that Preaching the Gospel will bring prison, not saying that it will, just that he needs to expect the worst and get on with it anyway, because as you say, he has Jesus on his side.

My recent feeling is that I need to learn how to give up material things, I sooooooo want things all the time, some day God's going to have my house burn down and say now get on with your life, I just know it.

 

[Wordgazer]

That was beautiful. (sniff!) Good for you, Ktisallred!

 

[marshgreencohen]

you're lifting up my spirit guys...

 

[ktisallred]

Thanks!