Over the last few months God has really placed mentoring and discipleship of young women on my heart, and I am excited to explore that further at the end of this journey. This month’s ministry in the Philippines was heavy on discipleship and working with youth, and it allowed me a window to explore what this looks like further.
We all have a story to tell.
This past month I was able to use my story and testimony of how God has worked in my life many times. I used it during the times we evangelized door to door in the community while leading the youth, in church services, and in every day conversations with strangers I met on the street.
Choices and actions that took place in my past used to hold me back from being the person God has created me to be. I used to carry shame and regret, and I used to let the people's opinions of my negative choices define who I was as a person. Over these last 9 months, that shame and regret has been lifted. I know the decisions I once made in life do not define me. Yes, those choices have helped to shape me to be the person I am today, but I’m not that same girl I used to be 10 years ago, 5 years ago, and even last year…because God has redeemed me of my past and he has given me an abundant amount of grace.
I’m thankful for the things I learned and experienced in my past because it now allows me to relate to others going through similar experiences, and it offers me an opportunity to lead them through it by the hands of God’s grace, mercy, and love.
Some reading this post might be going through this season of life now, and I want to encourage you through it by saying this:
You are a child of God. You are loved. You are redeemed. Christ paid your debt when he died on the cross.
Take that shame and regret, and place it at the foot of the cross. Whatever you do, DON’T pick it back up.
Don’t let others tell you that you are not worthy because of something you have done, because that is a lie.
You are worthy.
Your life is rich.
Your life has meaning.
Give it to God, and live a life of freedom.
I have never felt so free in my life, and I couldn’t be happier.
