This is the manuscript of the testimony I shared here in Lesotho.
I was born the son of a pastor. My father was a pastor in the Methodist church, and my grandfather was a Methodist Bishop. Being a pastor’s son has benefits and drawbacks. Everywhere I went there were eyes on me. I was known and referred to as “David’s (my father) son”. This title didn’t bother me so much until the decline of my father. My father made some very poor decisions. He became addicted to pain killers, had an affair on my mother, and stole money from the church.
My identity and title as being “David’s son” haunted me wherever I went. I was constantly worried if the people I was around knew what my father had done and what they thought of me. I felt guilt for decisions and mistakes I didn’t make. I didn’t understand why God would let a person who was corrupt, lead one of his churches. My father continued his decline until he passed away when I was 18. He left holes in my heart that I tried to fill with partying and the approval of women. These things would satisfy the pain for a moment, but afterwards I was left with the same emptiness. I needed a lasting cure.
Thankfully, I had friends who pointed me to Jesus. They reminded me that Jesus died so that my father (David) and I wouldn’t receive the punishment we deserve for our sins and that the father that sent Jesus loves us and wants an intimate relationship with us. My identity didn’t have to be “David’s son”. God sacrificed his son so that I can rest in the identity of being a son of God. Ephesians 1:5 says that “God predestined us for adoption as sons through Jesus Christ”. Ephesians 2:6 claims that God has “raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus”. We are all members of God’s family. Our time here on earth is temporary, as Philippians 3:20 states, “our citizenship is in heaven”. God loves and adores us so much that he calls us his own; he calls us up to be co-heirs with his son, Jesus Christ. As members of God’s family, we are representatives of him on earth. I want to leave you with one last verse, 1 Peter 2:9 “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession”. Let’s live as God’s children.
Thank you to everyone who has donated and been in prayer for my journey! I am currently just over $800 dollars away from being fully funded. The deadline for fundraising is at the end of this month. Please be in prayer with me as this deadline approaches.
