How I Became a Christian

For quite some time I have felt that the Lord was prompting me to share how I became a Christian. I know that I have lots of readers who don't share the same faith as me and I hope you will read through this post. I'm not here to force you to believe the way I do about Christ but I hope that through what He has done for me you will get a glimpse of the beautiful story He has done and is doing in my life. 

As most of you know I was born in Brazil to American parents who were missionaries. I grew up going to church three times a week. In fact, just about any time the church doors were open we were there.

What I remember most about church and ministry as a kid was picking flowers and having a 'fake wedding' with all my friends; visiting church members and drinking insane amounts of espresso. I remember the wonderful people and I definitely will always remember my Dad in the middle of a message saying "Rebekah! This is not a play time," and I definitely remember thinking how bad the spanking would be when I got home for interrupting the church service.

You know what I don't remember? The Gospel. Jesus. I don't remember ever realizing that Jesus loved me, that I was a sinner and that He died for me. I am 100% sure I was taught it but it never sank into my heart.

I first remember The Bible being sewn into my heart when my granny would share verses with me. It was after we had returned from Brazil and I was around the age of 9. We'd lay in bed at night and she would tell me verses in Proverbs how a great name is better than silver. When I was afraid she would tell me Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee."

In the Spring of 1997 I remember being in a church service and I can't even tell you what the pastor preached but what I can tell you is that The Holy Spirit somehow opened my eyes and in a still small voice let me know that I was not a Christian. I had never placed my faith in Jesus and never asked Him to forgive me of my sins. The pastor asked for people to come forward but there was now way I was walking down the aisle in a big crowd!

I went home and to say I was miserable is a huge understatement! First off, I knew the Bible said Jesus was coming back and boy I was scared! I remember one time calling for my Mom and when she didn't answer in .0234897 seconds I immediately panicked and freaked out thinking Jesus had returned and I was forever lost. You would think fear like that would help me walk down the aisle the next Sunday but pride and fear kept me right in my pew.

Well, a few weeks later two couples in our church talked to the youth group about going to camp. They said the camp called because it was supposed to be a week of family camp. However, not enough families signed up so they opened it up to campers. Of course I signed up! I had never been to camp and it sounded fun.

Each night there were services and I can't recall the complete message the preacher spoke but I do remember him talking about Jesus being beaten with the whip of 9 tails. Honestly, The Holy Spirit had been working so much in my heart I just knew I had to go forward to get saved.

After I went forward my counselor took me aside and talked to me about salvation. She said that there are 3 things to look at before asking Jesus into my heart. She drew a train. The first train cart had God on it, the second faith and the third had feelings.

She said the first train cart was God and His Word. I could find out spiritually where I was based on what He said. The second cart, faith, meant that my faith had to be placed in Jesus. The third card was symbolic of feelings and that those should come last. Basically, she wanted to go through all of those steps to see if I was truly lost and in need of Jesus or if I was saved and just doubting. After she went through the trains I knew I wasn't saved. I told her I wasn't saved and I prayed and asked Jesus to forgive me of my sins and I asked Him to come live in my heart.

After I prayed that prayer and asked Jesus to forgive me I immediately felt a million trillion pounds lifted from me and I have never felt so 'clean' and at peace in my whole life. Jesus saves! He took my sin and guilt, cleaned me fully and I felt so free. I'm so so thankful that Jesus saved me. 

I got saved 17 years ago and I can tell you that Jesus has been faithful all those years. I haven't always walked with Christ as I should and there have been times where I have been so far from Him, living for myself, but I can tell you that through it all - God loves me. When I was far away, The Holy Spirit always drew me back with lovingkindness. When I have been walking with Jesus closely He has been my source of joy like none other. 

I've seen God work miracles, both big and small and there is no possible way on earth to record all the wonderful things He has done for me. I can't ever repay Him but I can publicly say 'THANK YOU JESUS!' and so I do. 

What about you? What are your thoughts and beliefs on Jesus? If you ever have questions or want to know more I would be so honored to talk to you and share more. I can promise you that I won't be pushy about forcing you to accept Jesus but I will do my best to share truthfully about Christ and what He has done.

One last thing! I recently posted about my trip to Colorado and while I was looking at those pictures tears of joy came because in 1996 I was in Colorado  where Jesus saved me and here I am in 2014 back in Colorado in those same pretty mountains. It made me think of how faithful Jesus has been since He saved me and my heart was just full of gratitude. 

If you are a blogger and a fellow Christian I just want to encourage you to share how Jesus saved you! There is power in it and you might be able to share Jesus with lots of other people. & no need for a blog! Facebook it, write someone a letter, etc.