Saying I found Jesus Christ almost sounds like a paradox because He is too magnificent to be minute or hidden! Nevertheless, humans always have ways of looking for answers in the wrong places. Quite interestingly, there is one Answer that gives us answers to all of life’s questions—His name is Jesus Christ!!
Life Before I Found Jesus Christ
Life before I found Jesus Christ was mostly a make believe one. I appeared to love God on the outside but behind closed doors, I was empty, tired and dissatisfied.
You’d find me at church at least 5 days of the week, you’d never miss my face at youth meetings and you could bet your salary that I’d be at evangelism outreaches nine out of ten times, if not all of the times. Truth be told, with every sense of humility, a good number of my peers and the elderly wanted Ashley to be their evangelism partner because they thought I spoke to people about Jesus Christ almost effortlessly.
Little did they know.
I found it easy to talk about Jesus Christ in the public but I found it very hard and uneasy to spend time with Him in my secret place. Come to think of it—did I even have a secret place?
My prayer and worship times were cold and dry. I often itched to leave God’s presence. Nevertheless, deep down inside my heart, I knew there was more.
The Day Jesus Christ Found Me
May 1st 2015 will forever be a significant day in my life because that was the day I let all my guards down and let Jesus Christ fully take over my life. Before the day, I was a Youth Executive, my Pastor’s wife’s Assistant and a lady who a lot of people looked up to.
It was the last day (the impartation service) of a Bible school I attended. And just in case you are thinking to yourself, “With all these church services, Bible school, evangelism outreaches, how would Ashley say she didn’t find or love Jesus Christ?” Fam, before May 1st, 2015, I was mostly about the acts and not the heart. The guest Minister had barely finished preaching and I felt a great tug on my heart. Jesus was calling me to exchange my secret emptiness for His fullness, my tiredness for His strength.
A part of me thought,” what will my Pastor and his wife think of me and what will the youths seated in this congregation say? The more I thought, the more conviction of the Holy Spirit I felt. I cried and cried as soon as an altar call was made, I knew staying back in the congregation was not an option. In the midst of my bawling and with the help of the Holy Spirit, I stepped forward and said the prayer of repentance. Oh what joy and relief I felt! Finally, my heart and acts were in sync.
Then VS Now with Jesus Christ
The difference is very clear—as clear as night and day. Blessed are you if you got Jesus! My life before I had Jesus was filled with so much fears and uncertainties. But, that’s not the story anymore. Now, life has a brand new meaning. A Father to trust, to lean on and still be stretched by.😂😅 Oh how He stretches us to be who He has predestined us to be.
Although life hasn’t been free of challenges since I said a total yes to Jesus, knowing who I am and whose I am has been a game changer for me. One more thing life with Jesus has taught me is to renew my commitment to God daily. Everyday I wake up, I ask God to help me walk with Him, love Him and serve Him. I don’t want to wake up one morning and discover that I’ve lost touch with Abba…because the distractions in this world are multiplying on a daily.
What's Your Journey with Jesus Christ like?
Adventurous and progressive? Blossoming & Unveiling? Stagnant & Shaky? Or are you unsure if you are on a journey with Jesus?
It’s not too late to let Jesus Christ take charge in your life. Today is the day to experience the warmth and tenderness of His affection, embrace and comfort. It’s really tough and gruesome out there in the world. We need the Lover, Father, and Burden Bearer who is Jesus.
You want to let Him fully take over your life? I invite you to start here.
Dear One, Journey with Jesus Christ and you will never regret it.
Keep loving God.
Till I write to you next time.
With love and passion,
Thank you for sharing your journey, Ashley! It truly resonates with me. What a gracious Saviour we serve. Thank you, too, for sharing my salvation story here. May the Lord bless you richly as you serve Him.
Thank you for reading. God bless you, Janet.🤗