A few days ago I got baptized! I still get the goosies just thinking about it- and I could shout it from the rooftops, it still has me so hyped! (I know what you're thinking.. & yes, I just used the word hype loll) -- The last 8 months of my life, I have been through my own personal hell and back. I was lost, broken and lonely and after coming to the realization that nothing of the flesh was going to make me feel whole or satisfied- I started seeking God.. like reallllly seeking Him. And honestly, it was HE who was seeking ME..patient Jesus, in His way and in His time, brings us home; and how grateful I am for this truth, otherwise I would be lost to my own reckless will (& lawwwwd knows we don't want that! *if I could insert an emoji rn, it would be the monkey with its eyes closed lol).
Now, I've loved Jesus my whole life. But Ive also left Him-& only God knows what it will take to draw us to Him and whatever it takes, He will use it.In this case, He used my brokenness to lead me to Him for fulfillment. I will never forget when this first began to take place- I went to Transformation Church's' Worship Night on an invite from one of my best friends (shoutout Zozo ;)) - during the praise and worship I just fell to my knees, tears streaming down my face, the presence of God surrounding me and the Holy Sprit on the inside of me and I just cried out to God. I was done. I was done trying to live my life on my own terms- I didn't like the version of myself I was living like and I needed Him desperately; but more than need, I WANTED Him desperately.Ive always known how much I needed God but I didn't always want to do what it took to fully live for Him & step into His calling for my life.
Over the months that followed, I continued going to Transformation Church as Pastor Mike and the Holy Spirit performed " open heart surgery" on me, as they like to call it lol- and I continued choosing God and seeking Him first -- and what a TRANSFORMATION that did in my heart, my mind and my life. I stumble and fail.. I aways will, Im human.Im not perfect- but Jesus doesn't call me to be. He calls me to seek Him above all things, to live according to His word and to share that with others.He is a God of mercy and grace and He accepts me as a work in progress - and that's exactly what I am. Im not striving for perfection but for progression.I understand now that the God who created us and loves us will do whatever it takes to reach us, bring about change and use our redemption story to lead others to know Him.
So now, I have never been more ready to publicly proclaim my faith and the transformation God has done in my life- this baptism was an outward expression of my inward decision to walk closest to Christ. This was the burial of old habits & ways and coming alive in Him. I am forever thankful for God's faithfulness and His mercy that brought me here and through it all!!! Oh and not to mention the best part.. While my cousin, dad and his fiancé were sitting through this church service- they felt God leading them to get baptized that day as well.. so we got to experience it together!! You never know who is watching your example.. so make sure you're leaving a good one :)
XO- JO