Thursday, December 6, 2012

Rejoicing in Advent: Testimony

It is an incredible, moving experience to see lives changed for eternity!



Even more incredible is the One who instigates such transformation of heart, mind and spirit. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life.

Advent began this past Sunday. For the next three weeks, we will rejoice in this season of hope and expectation by hearing the testimonies of several different women.

Isaiah 9 says that Israel will be "filled with glory" as God "breaks the chains that bind His people".

Today's testimony allows us to hear firsthand how the Lord is filling people with His bright glory. Meet Jenna, and rejoice in her story of redemption and hope!


{"My father was raised Jewish and my mother was raised Christian. I was raised without much direction. But I always knew God was alive. I could see Him in my friends and in the beautiful mountains where I lived and in the relationships in my community. When I got to college all of that was stripped away from me, and it seemed I couldn’t find God without all of those things. I began attending a bible study for the first time. For a while I felt completely empty. As I began searching for God he seemed to have disappeared entirely. I had never felt such deep sadness and loneliness in my life. It felt as if I had so many questions each day at bible study that I would never get answers to. I could not step into a church without desperately holding back a storm of tears. These desperate feelings seemed to tell me that I had to continue seeking God, even though it felt like he had gone, it showed me I needed Him even more.

I received my first bible from a dear friend. It was overwhelming at first; I had no idea how to go about reading it. And so she read it with me. God sent numerous new friends to me with prayers and patience and open ears. A man named C.S. Lewis taught me that Jesus is standing beside me, praying for me always. I began to learn that God is bigger than I had ever realized before. He is with me and holding me and guiding me. My walk with God will have doubt. After all doubt is the very thing that keeps faith alive in us. But I know that God will always be with me. I can be stripped of everything in my life, but He will always remain.

For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11"}

We praise God for you, Jenna! What an amazing Savior we worship!

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