So between Easter and June, whilst battling depression, I
kept returning to Hope Church. I started
to look forward to the services, and listened intently to each of the pastors
messages, wanting to learn more about Jesus.
A video I watched turned things on their head for me. Brian ‘Head’ Welch, formerly of the nu-metal
band Korn, made a testimonial video for the website I Am Second. I sought out Brian’s book Save Me FromMyself. My main stumbling point in accepting Christ
was my reluctance to believe that the scripture John 3:16 applied to me - “For
God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever
believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life”. I felt as if I had done too many bad things
for God to want me. My depression was
telling me (and still does at times) that God hated me, and he thought I was a
waste of space. Brian’s book spoke in
very blunt honesty of the sins he committed, and yet God still loved him. I followed this up with some email
discussions with my work colleague who had originally invited me to church with
his family. On the 26th June
2011, I took a step of faith, repeated the sinners prayer, and accepted Jesus
as my saviour. This was the single
biggest moment of my life.
Just under a month later I was baptised by my Pastor, in
front of my church family and my little girl, and felt amazing. I was honoured and privileged to be baptised
alongside some amazing people, with awesome stories of God’s power in their
life. The day was fantastic from start
to finish, and I’ll never forget it.
Every word of encouragement, prayer, tear, text message,or facebook message offering support meant the
world to me. And the power of God’s love
was overwhelming. I stood at the front
of the church, alongside the other baptised believers, whilst the congregation
sang Deep Cries Out, and the family that had lead me to Jesus
stood nearby praying over me. All the
while, tears of happiness streamed down my face. This was indeed, the start of a new life for
me. A ‘rebirthing’.
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