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During our time in Zimbabwe we have had many opportunities to work with an African evangelist named Litu. He’s connected with ministries that allowed us to minister in psych wards, police stations, and on school campuses.
I had the opportunity to give a summary of my testimony at the Polytechnic College in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
The truth is I wasn’t planning to speak. I wasn’t planning to give my testimony. I was simply planning to participate. But I sat and listened to Vickie speak about a true walk with Christ and the Holy Spirit tugged at my heart.
Vickie said “being a lukewarm Christian is like being chocolate covered vomit. It looks good from the outside, but the taste is sickening death”.
Kayla was supposed to speak next, but Nathan asked to take her place. Daiva was supposed to speak after him, but I tapped her shoulder and asked if I could take her place. The Holy Spirit completely rearranged the schedule and the list of presenters. One by one we preached the Truth about apathy and how we have been delivered from it.
If I were to sum up my testimony it would be just that – deliverance from apathy. I have never murdered anyone. I’m not an addict of drugs or alcohol. But I did make bad decisions simply because I’m hard headed, simply because I thought I knew better than God, and simply because I wanted to do what I wanted to do rather than doing God’s will.
“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.”
??Revelation? ?3:15-17? ?MSG??
http://bible.us/97/rev.3.15-17.msg
I grew up as a child in the church. I remember Sundays serving in the nursery and in Jr Church as we called it for our children. I loved to participate in every church “club” that was available! I did Children’s choir when I was young, youth choir, mime, drill team, dance team, praise team, summer camp, and assisted my mom with our massive church picnics. I did it all!
It was almost as if church was where “good” people were entertained. You may have still enjoyed entertainment outside of church, but I went there for something to do with my life. It gave me activities to do. It was fun. I made friends there. I spent most of my time there. I even felt God occasionally!
I remember at the age of 17 I was burnt out.
“If this is what it means to be ‘Christian’ then I am not interested. This is empty. This is surface level. This is no better than what I can concoct myself.”
I was going to church, but I wasn’t learning how to truly live a life with Christ. My conviction lasted no longer than end of the service. My life bared no fruit of the Holy Spirit.
“A farmer planted seed. As he scattered the seed, some of it fell on the road, and birds ate it. Some fell in the gravel; it sprouted quickly but didn’t put down roots, so when the sun came up it withered just as quickly. Some fell in the weeds; as it came up, it was strangled by the weeds. Some fell on good earth, and produced a harvest beyond his wildest dreams.”
??Matthew? ?13:3-8? ?MSG??
http://bible.us/97/mat.13.3-8.msg
You will hear about this point in time over and over again as I share the different blessings of my testimony… At the age of 28 I looked at my life and realized that I, in many ways, had accomplished the American dream. I had a good job that made me a middle class citizen, I had owned a condo, and I had owned my own car. I was doing well on the journey to getting the “picket fence, husband, 2.5 kids, and the dog”. But in my heart I knew that still would not be enough. The American Dream was not built on an eternal life. It was built on the fleeting pursuit of happiness that is based of stuff, consumerism, status, and things that will constantly change. I realized that what God has presented as an eternal life has not changed in thousands and thousands of years. I realized that what God has must be Truth since it has been the same yesterday, today, and forever more.
I had been in “church” my whole life so I should have know this, but when I look at the parable of the sower, I was not the seed that took root and bared fruit.
As we participated in the services with Litu I looked out at the African Congregations and worried that they are just as I have been. I would say that one will never meet or participate in a more lively church than one in Africa! Hallelujah is spoken after every other word with a response of Amen! Dancing and clapping are the “culture of church”. The service is not fulfilling unless the congregation is hooping, hollering, and calling out Amen as they dance around the room. I am glad we get excited, but excitement does not mean that the Holy Spirit is in the room or in you!
I stood in front of that group and explained “I decided to try life God’s way… And I also concocted an exit strategy that if I tried this life with God and it didn’t work out that I could always go back to doing life my own way”.
I looked in the eyes of every person in the crowd and said with all sincerity “I have fully tried and surrendered my life to Christ and I am never going back”.
I challenge you to do the same. I challenge you to whole heartedly give your life to Christ, to do life exactly God’s way, to surrender to the Holy Spirit, and to be willing to say yes to His will and His way. I guarantee that your life will be dramatically changed and for the better. Better will probably not look like being rich, but it will entail a fulfilling life that He will walk you through day in and day out.
And I even offer you an exit strategy…
If you go full in with Him and you decide you want to go back, you can. God gives us that choice. I doubt you will want to, but that option is available.
