I was baptized as a baby and confirmed in 6th grade. Growing up in a Christian home, there was never that defining moment when I decide for myself to give everything up and give my heart to the Lord. My entire life I’ve been so focused on my earthly relationships, that I’ve never truly had a relationship with the Lord, even though I have grown up loving Him. I’m still working on what it means to have a relationship with Him.
Today I went to the Easter service at the Orange County Amphitheater for Rock Harbor. I’ve never been to an Easter service at Rock Harbor, probably because I’ve ALWAYS gone home for Easter. This year was my first Easter and first holiday away from my family. I had the opportunity to go home, but I just really wanted to go to the Easter service at Rock Harbor.
It was interesting because they didn’t talk about Christ’s resurrection very much. In fact, there wasn’t a sermon, it was just fifteen minutes of Mike bringing peace to the chaos that the Christian Religion has brought and recognizing that following Jesus is not a set of rules. Anyway, what I”m getting at is, there wasn’t the typical cliche sermon, it was mostly baptisms. There was a group of people who were already ready to give their lives to Christ, however they encouraged anyone who wanted to be baptized to come forward.
The first girl to go up gave her story, which is much like mine. She grew up in the church, drifted away for a bit and is now committing herself to Christ. I immediately felt the Holy Spirit nudge me saying, this is your time. I wanted to recommit my life at some point on the World Race, however I felt the Holy Spirit say “now”. My heart immediately began racing, I came up with so many excuses as to why I shouldn’t: I’m in a dress, its in front of hundreds of people in this amphitheater, what are my friends going to think, etc. Then I realized, if I didn’t go, I would regret it tomorrow, I would be denying the Lord and I would be disobedient. During Altar Calls I’ve always been the one to pray the prayer but never make the public display of commitment. Today i needed to make that public display before my brothers and sisters and before God.
I got over myself and went forward. Christine came with me, a lot of my life group was there to support me, it was incredible. I am so happy and feel so free. I will always remember this day and I’ve finally had that moment where i choose for myself to commit my life for Christ and His will!! I cannot express how happy I am, Praise the Lord!!!!!!
