I
have been surrounded by people in Christian community throughout my life
and I always saw it as the norm, and since a very early age charismatic
worship was also a regular part of my experience in community. Because
of Christianity always being in my life, I saw it as getting in the way
of things I really wanted to do – things
I thought that were more important at the time. My parents also tried to
keep me close – so
as a young teenage kid I regularly disobeyed them. As I pushed away the
light of Christ and endless things God had to offer me, I was left with
little defense against all the negative things in this modern world.
A lot of temptations
pursued me in my life and I fell into them numerous times
– things such
as drug addiction, and abusing alcohol since an early age. I developed
major anger issues through surrendering to these temptations in my life
and was left feeling incomplete and unsatisfied. After going through all
these obstacles in my life I realized that God was pursuing me through
this horrible all-time low experience so he could open my eyes to what
was truly the best offer he wanted me to have in this life. As I began
to openly face my problems, God rewarded me by arrangting things in my
life to pull me closer to him, such as strong Christian friends, family,
and some amazing experiences which have made me proud to be the person
I am today.
God has shown
me that even at all-time lows where there is utter darkness, God’s light
can prevail and overcome your problems to make you a servant of his power
and love in the great plan he has made for us. He has changed me from an
addicted drug and alcohol abuser into a strong believer of his word and
loyal soldier in this war that he has put us in, and for that I never stop
thanking him. He has brought me out of selfishness and an all time low,
bringing me all the way to Detroit to participate in Detroit
Summer Outreach to serve the people of Detroit who deserve to see God’s
light and what he can do for us if we just accept ourselves as we are and
say ‘yes’ to Him.
God’s work
in my life continues to surprise me – he
turns my weaknesses into strengths and my insecurities into confident works
for his kingdom. God continues to use me in so many different and exciting
ways, and his decision to put me in Detroit to serve for three months has
erased my doubt in his steadfast love. After coming to Detroit you can
clearly see that although the people here are poor, their love for God
and the love he has given to them is rich. Seeing the strength of faith
in the people of Detroit has changed me forever and I can do nothing but
thank God for changing my life and working in me – all because I said ‘yes’
to Him.
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