Christina's Testimony

Over the month of September, we're each going to tell our story. Our testimony of the work that Jesus has done in our lives. Stay tuned each Friday for another story! Here's mine!

Growing up, I had the privilege of attending a camp every summer with my church. From the time I was 10, I looked forward to my week at camp. The second summer that I attended; I was 11 and going into the 7th grade. That summer, my eyes were opened to the Truth like they had never been before. One night during each week at camp, a talent show is held. One of my counselors did a skit to Ray Boltz’s song, “Watch the Lamb.” The song tells the story of Jesus' crucifixion from the perspective of a father taking his two sons into Jerusalem to sacrifice a lamb. It was amazing how my counselor played each of characters in the song and showed their emotions as they witnessed the crucifixion of Christ. Through the song and his skit, I was really able to see for the first time exactly what Christ did for me on the cross. Later that week, as the pastor spoke one evening, I felt as though he was speaking directly to me. He perfectly described my need for Jesus. I'm not sure that I truly believed I was a sinner before then.

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

It was that night that I recognized my need for a Savior and accepted Jesus into my heart.

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade - kept in heaven for you"
1 Peter 1: 3-4

Since that day, my relationship with Christ has continued to grow. Throughout high school, I was fortunate to be surrounded by Christian friends and to be involved in bible studies each year. I learned so much about walking with the Lord during my high school years that really allowed my relationship with Christ to grow in ways that I hadn’t experienced in middle school. Towards the end of high school, with college in sight, I began to turn from the Lord. I made some poor decisions as a result of my broken relationship with Christ.

This is the part that many are surprised to learn. It was only recently that I learned that several members of my husband's family did not even know this part of my story. I guess in all the wedding preparations four years ago, I forgot to tell them that I'd been arrested. My parents allowed me to go to the beach with some friends during spring break of my senior year. Up until this trip, I had chosen not to drink even when many of my friends were doing so. I made some bad decisions and ended up being arrested for possession of liquor underage. My friends had to come and post a $400 bail to get me out of jail. Honestly, I don't remember much. (I'm sure you can figure out why.) But looking back - I'm thankful that the arrest is all that happened to me. Really thankful. To say this was uncharacteristic of my personality would be quite the understatement. I am a rule follower, sometimes to a fault. But that's beside the point...

As I graduated from high school, I was preparing to spend my summer working at the same camp where I had been all those years. I left home for camp the day I graduated high school. The Lord used my first few weeks at camp to bring me back to Him. Being in the place where I had first given my life to Christ allowed to me to see how far I had strayed. Throughout the course of that summer, my relationship with Christ was restored and I began to grow in the Lord again.

During college, the Lord continued to amaze me with the ways that he taught me. There were many tough situations throughout my four years, but the Lord always had perfect plans for me through them all. I can honestly say that my relationship with God grew the most during my four years of college. I found a bible study right away my freshmen year. I was able to find a great church to become involved in (still am almost 10 years later!). Glory to God for what He has done in my life!

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."
Proverbs 3:5-6

Please feel free to email us (or post a comment) if you have any questions about what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. We'd love to share more with you.