So, to start, Jesus the Christ is my Savior. That’s about as simple as it gets. I am not religious, I am a born-again believer in and follower of Him. I go to a non-denominational church in my home town, and I am currently figuring out the intricacies of my Faith. I have the basics set in my mind and heart: God created the world, and from the beginning elected some of us to call on His name and to do His bidding on this Earth (Yes, I do believe in predestination; it is a subject that has caused discord at times among good friends of mine and in one instance in my immediate family, but that is where I stand. I would love to have conversations in person as to why I believe thus, but I don’t have the time to type it all up now. ;) ). I believe that Jesus is God incarnate, and that the child which the Holy Spirit placed in Mary was the Son of God, and at the same time God Himself.
This child, Jesus, was the Messiah, this I know. I know His teachings, the apostles teachings, etc. I know that when He was around 30 years old, he was taken by the authorities and crucified on a wooden cross as if He were a common criminal. I know that three days from then, on the day of the Festival of the First Fruits (when everything was ‘made new’) He rose from the dead and later ascended into the sky. What I am now working on understanding is the subject, for instance, of the Holy Spirit. I believe in the speaking of tongues, and the gift of prophesy, and healing, etc. I am only trying to work out in my own mind how such things apply to me. Lately I have just been praying that I would want to do such things as speak in tongues (which I have never done) and etc.
But another thing I am sure of is that I am God’s tool in this life, and however he chooses to use me, I will endeavor to listen and follow. In fact, a year or two ago, I was certain I never wanted to be called to missions, because I knew it would cause me discomfort and I secretly dreaded ever being given the opportunity (also, the idea of finding what to eat in those “other countries” was frightening at least; I am very picky.). But now that is almost all I can think about doing in the next few years. Before college, I want to do as much missions work as I can. Oh well, perhaps that’s God moving in my life. *shrug*
In Christ, Lydia
