I will admit, I don’t have a story that is such a drastic change in lifestyle. I wasn’t living wildly before my baptism. But we all have a journey in learning to trust and obey God, and there is change involved even if it doesn’t seem drastic on the surface. We know that we are all sinners. Thank God that He sent His son Jesus to forgive us!
Raised in a Christian Environment
I grew up in a Christian home with parents who took us to church every Sunday and every Wednesday. In this regard, I was so blessed to be brought up in such an environment. I will be forever grateful for the example my parents have been in my life. Along with my parents, I grew up surrounded by many wonderful Christian people. I remember some wonderful Bible class teachers whom I looked up to and learned so much from. Even my grandparents were Christians and we always attended church with them when we visited. My grandma was a Bible class teacher, and for as long as I can remember, she was always actively serving in her church.
At some point as I was growing and learning, I remember becoming conscious of the fact that I did believe in God. I did believe He sent his son Jesus to Earth to sacrifice himself in order to save us.
Coming to a Decision
When I decided to be baptized, I was ten years old. Although that is young, my parents studied with me and talked with me to make sure I understood what it meant. What I remember the most from those studies came down to understanding that Jesus is God’s Son and he died on a cross to take away my sins. I remember wanting to be obedient to God and live the rest of my life for Him.
Now that I’m older, I realize that I definitely didn’t know everything or understand it in its fullness. The important thing is that I understood what Christ did for me and I wanted to give my life to Him. I think no matter how old we are when we give our lives to Christ, there is no way to fully understand how much God loves us. In fact, those of us who have been living a life for Christ for many years still learn more every day what it means to trust and obey. Being a Christian is a daily walk we must take with God to grow closer to him.
To Walk with Christ Means to Trust and Obey
Since that day on October 14, 1990, when I was baptized, washing my sins away and promising to live my life for God, there have been many ups and downs. That’s part of walking this life, even with God. Even in my lowest of lows, I have felt God’s presence and even was brought closer to Him in those moments. I continue to walk on, knowing that no matter what may come in the future, He is there with me. I have learned on my walk, that every day is a new day and He is always there to walk with me. So I continue to trust in Him and obey Him to the best of my ability, to grow closer to Him and live out His love. I’m so glad that I made that decision twenty-six years ago.
Trust and Obey
by John H. Sammis
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word,
What a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Refrain:
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a shadow can rise, not a cloud in the skies,
But His smile quickly drives it away;
Not a doubt or a fear, not a sigh or a tear,
Can abide while we trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
But our toil he doth richly repay;
Not a grief or a loss, not a frown or a cross,
But is blest if we trust and obey. [Refrain]
But we never can prove the delights of his love
Until all on the altar we lay;
For the favor he shows, for the joy he bestows,
Are for them who will trust and obey. [Refrain]
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet,
Or we’ll walk by his side in the way;
What he says we will do, where he sends we will go;
Never fear, only trust and obey. [Refrain]
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you so much for giving your own Son so that I might be saved and live with you for eternity. My thanks will never be enough to repay you for that. I pray that every day I continue to walk with you and lean on you for everything. No matter what is going on around me, I pray that I will focus on you and your Son and all the love you have for me. I ask that you help me block out the world’s noise so that I can look to you alone as my strength. I love you and I praise you for all that you do for me.
It’s in Jesus’ holy name that I pray,
Amen
- Let Me Live That I May Praise You - November 4, 2019
- You Don’t Have This: God’s Got This - October 5, 2018
- Fear Is a Liar - May 20, 2018
This is a beautiful testimony. You’re right that we keep growing in our relationship with Christ. He’s like a sculptor, delicately chipping away parts of us that don’t look like Him. Thanks for the reminder of God’s faithfulness.
Thank you! Yes, that is a wonderful picture of what He does for us. Thank you for sharing!
I’ve heard for years – obedience is better than sacrifice….
Yes, I believe the reference is from 1 Samuel when Saul destroyed the Amalekites like God asked but instead of destroying everything he took some plunder in order to make sacrifices to God. When what God really wanted from Saul was obedience. It’s a good reminder for all of us that God wants us to wholeheartedly obey!
I have always loved that little hymn. We used to sing it in Chapel when I was in elementary school!
I love it too! Definitely takes me back to my childhood!
God wants are trust and obedience – trust is the foundation for faith
I agree!
Hi April,
As a pastor, I’m thankful for the testimonies like yours that don’t seem as “extravagant.” I’ve met some people who didn’t want to share their testimonies because they felt like it was boring. For some people, their testimony is simple, like the blind man who simply said, “I was blind and now I see.”
Thank you very much! That is very encouraging. Yes, there have been times I have thought the same thing. It helps to think about how much God and his angels rejoice when even one soul is saved! All of our stories are important and so cherished by God!
[…] my last post I talked about how I became a Christian and dedicated my life to Christ. I mentioned that there […]