Testimony Time

I'll start with a bit of a backstory about how I got born again in my early 20's. I was sitting in my bedroom, pondering my life, after breaking up with someone I had been seeing for a few months, when I felt that I needed to go back to church. I heard God telling me it was time and in my heart I knew I had to obey Him. This led to God setting in motion a series of events which led me to church.

It just so happened I wanted to begin driving so one of my friends from university introduced me to her driving instructor, who turned out to be an enthusiastic evangelist. It was part of his ministry to tell his students about Jesus and then invite them to church. I ended up attending this church, which would form the bedrock of my faith, and my relationship with my pastor, my spiritual mother. I remember receiving and believing the gospel and felt the Holy Spirit enter my heart, so gentle like a dove, parting the folds of my heart to enter in. It was a miraculous and supernatural experience.

I recall that overnight my desires changed. I was worried about how I would give up my love of secular music, especially RNB, soul and some hip hop. It was the era of hot boy band groups like Jodeci, Dru Hill and Blackstreet. Girl groups had me similarly enthralled like TLC, 702, Total and SWV, plus numerous solo artists Aaliyah, R Kelly, Notorious Big and Ginuwine. I loved to dance and go clubbing and despite the fact that I knew that this was an idol in my life, I pushed away God's voice during my clubbing sessions to continue to enjoy the pleasures of the world. But I could not believe God actually took away my love for secular music literally overnight! All was not lost as I replaced this with gospel music, such as Fred Hammond, Hezekiah Walker and the LFC choir, Donnie McClurkin and many more.

I also noticed I could not read tabloid newspapers anymore. One Sunday tabloid literally made me feel nauseous when I tried to read it. I could not abide Jerry Springer either, although I used to enthusiastically watch it with my family before. Friends started to slip away, due to my newfound faith, and family members acted as if I was their foe. It was extraordinary how many challenges I went through as the battle intensified for my soul. It would have been easy to give up but my love for Christ empowered me to go on.

It hasn't been easy but I thank God everyday He saved me. I look back and realise how merciful He was and how wonderfully He has led me this far in life. He has given me a great life and He can do the same for you if you let Him. As you continue this journey with me, you will see what He has done.

If you want to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour and Lord of your life- which means you allow Him to lead you and give Him control over every area of your life, including your relationships, time, money and even pastimes, then you can say a simple prayer from your heart:

"Dear Lord, I am a sinner and I need to be saved. I repent of all my sins and invite You into my heart. I believe you died for my sins and rose again on the third day. I believe that in my heart and make confession with my mouth, that Jesus is my Saviour and Lord. In Jesus name, amen" (Read Romans 10:9-10).

This begins your journey with the Lord. Start to pray and read your bible everyday so you get to know who God is. I pray you will remain blessed.

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