The Light

I swear I will normally not blog this much, but I felt compelled to share this. Today was the final Bible Study Fellowship meeting where people shared some of their experiences this year. I would have loved to have gone up to speak, but I was not at my normal BSF meeting place. I thought it would be a good idea to share my testimony from this year.

When I first heard that this year's study was John, I thought to myself that I wouldn't learn very much because I thought John was an "easy read" from my church experiences. I was very wrong. The very first lesson that I did asked us to elaborate on this verse:

"But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what he has done has been done through God." -John 3:21

I read that verse initially, and I almost broke down into tears. I was so humbled and guilty of not applying that verse to my life that I felt ashamed. I began to think to myself, "Do I live my life and act with a certain disposition that people would just know that I believe in Jesus?" I realized that some of my actions would not scream "I'm a believer!!!!!". Well, I instantly wrote down the verse and put it on my desk! I began to transform my entire walk with Christ around this one verse. Anytime I felt like saying or doing something sinful, I was reminded of this verse. I was proud when my roommates noticed a change in me even though they did not think it was a good change. They began to make fun of me and my dedication to God even though they consider themselves "Christian". I did not mind the teasing because it showed me that I was doing something right.

My favorite example of how this verse encouraged me this year was only one month ago. James and I were in a public place, and I saw a girl there that was not on my list of favorite people. I began to gossip about her, and at first I didn't think anything about it. I soon felt convicted and humbled. Through the Holy Spirit I realized that she is God's child too. God loves her, so I should love her. I instantly turned to James and said, "I'm sorry James. I might not like her, but Jesus loves her. I shouldn't be talking about her; I should be praying for her." James just shrugged his shoulders and agreed with me (the way James typically does.lol). I thought he didn't really understand me until later that evening. James was doing something (I don't remember) when he came over to me and said, "Holly, what you said earlier about that girl was great. You were right. I'm very proud of you." I didn't realize that James had really paid attention to what I had said. I had shown James that I had come into the light and done something through God!!

I pray on a continual basis that I will continue to find ways to show others that I get my strength from God. As a "soon-to-be" wife I also pray that I will continue to inspire my husband to daily get closer to God and for him to show others his love for Christ!! My hope is that James and I always follow God's will and help lead others to Christ even if it means we merely make it known that we follow Christ.