“Just as there are many parts to our bodies, so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of it, and it takes every one of us to make it complete, for we each have different work to do. So we belong to each other, and each needs all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5, TLB)
I have been studying the bible for quite some time now, and I finally got baptized on the 26 of February ,2006. Now the big question is, “why so long?”
I have always been a very spiritual person from childhood, I have always received what I prayed for, so why the delay? Well as I got older, I realized that my life was always filled with trials, so much that because I really dislike fighting, I would train myself for endurance. I even dabbled in self defense training for a while (though I never ever hurt anyone). I always found myself having to stay strong, patient and hold fast, as if my life was destined to be hit with storms and disasters.
One day, while meditating on Christ’s life, I saw my life flash before my eyes. I saw God’s hand in everything that happened to me, the choices He wanted me to make, and the consequences I lived through because of not following Him. Then I realized that God really does love me. But then the next question….. why all the trials?
I didn’t doubt his love for me, so I decided to prove my love to him by taking on my trials head first, slowly but surely, by advancing through my trials in the name of Jesus. I noticed that I started to win souls for Him, individuals were inspired by my perseverance and my humility. Whenever they asked me how I did it, I would tell them to claim the promises of the Lord. I would tell them to read Matthew 5:9-10, or proverbs 3:5-6. I realized through my endurance that people saw Jesus Christ in me, and how I handled my trials would be a living witness to those around me.
My point is that we all have a gift of the Spirit to aid with the winning of souls for our Lord and Saviour. We must remember at all times to trust in Him and following the promptings of the holy spirit. “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Robert Pairman