Testimony #1

If I remember correctly, it was on the damp afternoon of Sunday 31st August 2008 that I was formerly acquainted with God. Prior to this, we had many brief encounters, where which I would always sadly shun His abundant love for the sake of superficiality. And that is what I call it; superficiality. Alcohol, cigarettes, profanity, secular music, that demonic thing called ‘astrology’, weed, 'raving' in sweaty nightclubs with violent drug dealers and fornicators (which I was also) and this so-called love for 'money-making thugs', who really did not care about me, just my female genitalia. Yes, it was all superficiality.

As terrible as it all sounds now, it baffles me to think that I was shunning my Saviour’s unconditional, merciful and glorious love for this broken person called ‘me’. Even though I was born into a family that although were disadvantaged in terms of financial wealth, had a spiritual calling on their lives (My family consists of three reverends, a church secretary, and a church mother, as well as numerous God-fearing individuals so if that isn’t a sign, then I don’t know what it is!), I still struggled to comprehend this concept of ‘God’. I had an adequate level of knowledge for someone who was not ‘saved’ but I was stubborn to accept that God’s way is the only way. I was looking for a peaceful, stress-free life filled with nothing but love and joy; something that can never be discovered in this world we call ‘Life’. However, one day I came to the conclusion that I was not sufficiently equipped to fight against the oppression, I was not skilful enough for this battle and I had no choice but to surrender to HIS will.

There is a great misconception about Christianity, as society immediately perceives Christians to be judgemental and always ‘pointing the finger’ at the sins of the world. I would like to stress however, that sometimes even Christians themselves are caught up in this whirlwind of a stereotype but I’m here to set the record straight: being a Christian doesn’t mean we look down at others and scream ‘I perfect and you’re not!’; it means we are bold enough to admit that ‘Hey, I have issues and I sin too but I can’t fix things on my own so I’m seeking God’s help’. For the bible says in the book of Proverbs 24:16 – ‘For a righteous man may fall seven times and rise again, But the wicked shall fall by calamity’ and the song also goes ‘For a saint is just a sinner who fell down’.

I pray that whoever is reading this first attempt of blog writing, that you are moved and encouraged by these words. I also pray that if you haven’t already done so, that you will begin to let God govern your life and guide you into all the good things that your heart desires…only God has the keys that gain access to your blessings.

Continue to seek Him.

Effie :)