Romans 10:10 - "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
With all of the crazy, hectic, chaotic things that have been happening in the world, it might be nice to read something positive on social media. I would like to share with you just how wonderful July 14, 2010, was and still is to me.
First, let me start from the beginning.
It was the summer between my eighth grade and freshman year. I had heard about Falls Creek from my friends that attended the camp the year before. I could not wait to experience Falls Creek and make memories of my own.
The first day of camp came and went so fast. Everything was so overwhelming, it took me a full day to get used to it. It was now day number two. My heart was so heavy and I could not concentrate on anything that day. (God works in mysterious ways.) After a full day of activities, it was time for the second night's Tabernacle service. At the end of the service that night, the preacher asked questions like, "If you feel like God is speaking to your heart, come here and let me talk to you. If you have asked Jesus to come into your heart and just need to know the next step, come here. If you are lost or confused about where you stand with Jesus, come here, etc.."
I remember the second he said, "If you feel like God is speaking to your heart...", I was walking (more like jogging) down the aisle toward the stage. I could not feel my legs. I could not stop myself from crying tears of joy. I had absolutely no control of what I was doing. All I knew was that God was pulling me. He was tugging at my heart with all His might. While I was by the stage, one of the workers pulled me by my arm and welcomed me with a huge hug. She began talking to me and congratulating me on this new commitment in my life. One of my best friends, Brieanna, prayed with me and was just as excited as I was to start this new, beautiful journey. After being saved, I could not wait to get home to tell my family what happened and how magical the moment was. Nothing will ever compare to the feelings I had that night.
The day we got back from camp, I hugged my mom and said, "Hi, Mom, can I get baptized?" A few weeks later, I was baptized! There is no greater feeling. July 14th is a day that I will always celebrate with a heart full of joy and the happiest of tears. It is a day that is always on my mind and in my heart ... even six years later.
When you think of a testimony, you usually hear outrageous stories. Everyone has a different testimony, some more extreme than others, but I can guarantee that every single moment was and will always be special to that person. As Christians and children in Christ, we fall short and we make mistakes. Nobody is perfect. Everyone has ups and downs in life, but just remember, God will never give us something we cannot handle.
For some reason, God wanted me to be saved at a young age. My advice to the world ... it is never too late. He is always tugging on your heart, you just have to be willing to let go and let God take control.