Used to the Good - a smidge of my testimony

This weekend is quite a somber reminder for me. 

20 years ago today, we were in an interstate roll over accident. We rolled 3/4 of a mile! Hit by a drunk illegal immigrant in a stolen vehicle, our lives completely changed. Matter of fact, the "old me" died that night.

This could go many directions as I could share thousands of things that the Lord has brought me through since then. Still, for times sake and our short attention spans, I'll share this...

We have everything to be thankful for. God has a purpose for you as He does for me. Apart from Christ, we make things much harder than we need to. No only in our lives, but for those around us. 

Christ requires surrender, genuine and whole hearted devotion to Him and Him alone. He literally rescued me from myself that night and though that was the beginning of a very long, hard and difficult journey; its one I wouldn't be able to do even to this day without Him. He's my constant, even through childhood to now in my middle ages, He remains the same. 

Knowing and walking with Him doesn't mean life is easy or perfect, quite opposite to be frank. It doesn't make one person "better" or "above" another. What it does do is grant a whole new lense in which we experience life, how we view love, mercy, compassion, grace, mercy, empathy and forgiveness. There's a deeper need for the One who knows all, sees all and cares the most. It's new desires that cannot compare to what was once cherished.

If you aren't walking with the King of kings and Lord of Lord's, Jesus Christ, I pray you don't have to endure a fraction of my journey before you stop to consider why you do what you do, like what you like and approve of that which you do. God has a way of getting our attention and revealing Himself far deeper than any religion could ever shed light on. 

As I reflect on the good and the bad of that terrible night, I know God has and still is using it to the good, for His good. I've been called to follow Jesus and it's by Him my identity is found, not by any other title such as author, business owner, no worldly attainment, company kept or any other positions life can hold. 

People will see what they want to see. My hope is that somewhere Jesus is seen in me. 

A snapshot of my testimony

A snapshot of my testimony  

by Michelle M. James

For many years I lived lukewarm. I had enough of Jesus to make me feel good but not enough to make a difference. I loved Him as Saviour but rejected Him as Lord. I indulged when it was convenient but neglected Him full time. I always knew to cry out in times of need but as soon as things were "right my way" I quickly parted from His feet.

I never really understood my surrender was required or how serious God sees sin as vile wretched and evil. I had head knowledge of Christ but my heart was hard as stone. There was nothing personal about my relationship with Him. Actually to say a relationship existed is blasphemous in itself!

Then one day He showed me I was no different from anyone else. I talked just like them, dressed just like them, acted no different, indulged in the same music, movies and entertainment that contradicts Him. So on and so on things were made clear.

Truth struck at my heart as lighting to a dead tree. I was Christian in name only as I really didn't know this King. I knew of Him, that much was true but in reality I created a god of convenience who looked no different than me and you.

His love hurts, then heals as He makes all things known. His character is real and without compromising Himself, He is true to His Word. His attributes are divine and His ways are so much different than mine.

If you say you know Him, are you sure it's the One who gave His life for you? Is there evidence of Him in your thoughts, life, behavior and in your love for Him and others? Is there a change that continues to be seen, felt and heard?

#SelfExamination #HeartCheck #SurrenderRequired

 #honestyispowerful #bringingtruthtodeceivedpeople