May 26, 2012
Witness
Most people that read my blog have never heard my testimony. How can I be a witness for my Savior, Jesus Christ, if I never tell anyone? Since I had to write it out for South Africa, I figured I might as well share it with my readers as well. This is a sort of shortened version, and there are plenty of other details that could have been added. If you ever want to know more or have any questions, always feel free to ask :)
I grew up going to church. Both of my parents are Christians, and were fairly active in the church. We were at least there every Sunday morning, and I always participated in children’s events. My parents knew good values and acted on those, but they didn’t have a deep knowledge of God’s Word. Still, I was drawn to Christ at a young age…I cannot even remember exactly how old I was. Yet, I will never forget the experience. My younger sister had a picture in her bedroom of a child kneeling by her bed with her hands folded and her eyes looking toward the ceiling. She was obviously praying, but I couldn't understand what was so special about being on ones knees. Finally, I decided that I simply had to try it to know for sure. That night, I knelt by my bed and began my normal bedtime prayers (“Thank you, God, for Mommy and Daddy and my sister…”), when out of nowhere, I started pouring out my young heart to Him. I began crying because I knew that even with my good values, I had somehow messed up. I knew without a doubt right there on my knees at the foot of my bed that I wanted to live for Christ and I needed Him to take over my life. Suddenly, it was like a gentle wind moved around me and entered my heart, piercing my skin and filling a gap that I had never noticed before.
Since that night, life has not been perfect. I never struggled with what most people consider “big sins,” but I have certainly had plenty of major mistakes. All along the way, I have known that God has His hand on me in a special way. Reading and studying the Bible has always been fascinating to me. Instead of doing homework during Middle and High School, I just wanted to know more about God’s Word. And with every new thing I learned, I was soaking it in and wanting more. I still have that passion.
When it came time to start looking at colleges and wondering what I am going to be when I grow up, I knew that I was going into ministry. It was a calling that started back in Middle School. There was no doubt that I was supposed to follow Jesus into a ministry setting. Now that I am in college, I still don’t know exactly what particular ministry God has in mind for me. Right now, I am discovering that I do not mind knowing. If I had any plan of my own, I know that I would take credit for the idea. Instead, God gets all the glory for whatever happens. Any type of gain or success that is done on earth through me is all because of the Lord, and I cannot be prideful.
Missions have been instilled in me since I was in 7th grade. My church followed the pattern of Acts 1:8, and we started where we were. From there, we took a trip to Kentucky, New York, and later to the Dominican Republic. Since being in college, I have learned so much about missions and God’s plan for all nations to know Him. I went with a group of students to the Dominican Republic and now I am going to South Africa. This journey is crazy and confusing, but so fulfilling. God is working in me in so many aspects, and I am simply opening myself to Him for His use.
View the original version of this entry at anna-transparentheart.blogspot.com
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Transparent Heart (See more blog entries)
Posted by Anna Hulsey
Christian devotions based on everyday experiences; random thoughts; and some mission experiences
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Anna Hulsey
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Anna is a (soon-to-be) college graduate from South Carolina. She has always had a heart for missions, writing, and going deeper. You can follow her on Twitter at @anna_hulsey or on her blog: www.anna-transparentheart.blogspot.com