Gideon's Testimony

When I was about 6 years old I prayed the prayer of salvation, asking the lord Jesus into my heart. I prayed that prayer with a simplistic understanding of Jesus’ love for me and that I knew more than anything in the world that I definitely did not want to go to that horrible place the teacher at my VBS was talking about - hell. I grew up in a Christian house hold where my parents were both heavily involved in the different churches we went to over the years, which means I was also heavily involved in the church. It wasn’t until after I lost my mother at the age of 14 that I actually began a journey to really understand faith and the love that my Savior had for me. I really don’t believe that I will ever be able to fully comprehend the sacrifice and magnitude of the love that God has for me and his other children. I know now that through the belief that I have in the Lord Jesus Christ that I am forgiven and saved. In my late teens I rededicated my life to Jesus, as an adult I find that each morning I must do the same. Life is hard and I find each morning surrendering my heart, my life, my hands and feet to follow the will that God has for me, for that day absolutely necessary.

Over the years I’ve been involved with various forms “official” service for the Church, as an Awana leader, volunteering for Village Missions and World Vision, and leading worship for my youth group. However, in addition to that work I feel that the most important service I can do for the Lord is in every interaction I have. Each conversation that I have and every action that I take is a chance that I have to share the love that Jesus gives through me with others. As Christians I believe that the Lord leads us to live a life in the mission field; every day that we live is a day we live as a missionary for him. At this point in my life I don’t know if God wants me to pursue a career in missions such as a pastor or missionary, but I am willing to go wherever his hand leads me.

Within the last year the Lord has put on my heart that I need to understand where my life is going and I’ve prayed for Him to open doors for me and to help me know what he wants me to do so that I can serve him better. Since then the Lord has delivered me from an unfulfilling job and has opened doors to a new job where I was able to work with Christians. I really enjoy the atmosphere of working with hundreds of fellow Christians but in my heart I know that working there was not the place where my path is leading. Now, the Lord has opened doors for me to meet people who have attended various forms of Christian education, lead me to learn about FSB, and has provided funding for school that was not anticipated for several years.

I am so thankful for the blessings I have received and the way that everything is falling into place shows me that I am in line with what the Lord wants for my life. I am open to go and be wherever He leads me and so excited and eager to see what He has for me next. I don’t have a grand story of a life filled with depression, drugs, or alcoholism, where in my lowest of low I was pulled up by the love of my Savoir; What I do have is a story of a practically born and raised Christian girl who has had my highs, my lows, my falls, and my fears. I know that through me I will be a teacher, an encouragement, or an inspiration for someone. My goal for my life now and for my future is to be that tool for God and to serve him in everyway possible.