Have you ever stopped and looked back over your life and just reflected on your relationship with God and how it’s developed? I did that just this past Sunday. I hadn’t intended to. I was praising the Lord and worshipping His goodness. Somewhere in the midst of it I told Him that I desired Him above all else. That sentiment triggered a recollection of the journey I had been through with Him.

Even though I had been raised in the church I didn’t “find” the Lord until my junior year of college. I was “sold out” and “on fire” for Jesus. I graduated and taught for two years at a private Christian school in the Charlotte area. I earned next to nothing and it provided excellent opportunities to exercise my faith. I had to believe God that the fumes in my gas tank would get me to work and back since payday was several days away. There were nights I stayed with a co-worker and her loving family because I didn’t have enough gas to get home and even if I did all I had to eat were the french fries in my freezer.

Now before you decide that I was spending all of my money frivolously allow me to explain that I had no debt other than the used car I drove. I paid my rent and my tithes faithfully. When I wanted to splurge on a shopping spree I headed to Goodwill with a ten dollar bill and brought home dresses and slacks to wear. This was a time in my life where all I had was Jesus.

I realized how little I made when one day at the grocery store I noticed that baggers were making more money than I was and with better benefits. I had always dreamed of attending law school and with God’s permission, I set out to pursue my dream. Years later, degree in hand, something happened. I don’t know what exactly, but I got fed up. I was tithing faithfully and had been for several years. All the preachers had promised abundance and overflow. So why then was my cup not running over? Why did I still have room to receive? Long story short, I told God to take a back seat, at least where my finances were concerned. I had tried His way and I was unimpressed.

Oh my, now all of a sudden I seemed to have everything but Jesus. Now I know some of you would like me to tell you that once I stopped tithing that my financial world fell apart, but that’s not how my story goes. Instead, I paid off bills and was quite proud of myself. But I’m sure you know that if I took control of my finances away from God, then I also took control of some other areas of my life. I found myself visiting church, no longer attending faithfully as I had at one time. I found myself listening to everything but Gospel or praise music. Long story short, I found myself so far away from God that I didn’t even stop to grace my food anymore.

What had happened to the fire that had burned so strongly for Jesus? To say I was miserable would be an understatement. I wanted to come back to Jesus, but I felt as though I was so far away that I couldn’t find the path. I did come back, but it took small steps. First I had to get back into church. My soul hungered for the Word. I had to repent for my disobedience. How disappointing to know that I sought after wealth and things more than Jesus, but I found His arms welcoming and non-judging. Finally, I had to tithe again. This time it wasn’t because I was looking to receive something from God. Instead I tithed in submission to God.

Now today, I know that there is nothing or no one I desire more than Jesus. I’ve been in a situation where I had nothing except Him and also where I had everything except Jesus. I believe He has great things in store for me, but I wouldn’t dream of accepting them if He didn’t come with it.

I share my testimony in the hopes that it helps someone else, but also to encourage others to share their own testimonies. Traditional news media testifies every day about what the “enemy” is busy doing. The bible says that Satan comes, but for to steal, kill and destroy. This is evident when we watch the news and hear about burglaries, murders, and casualties of war. I call it the death and mayhem section of the news. Wouldn’t it be nice if we could open up the paper and read about the awesome and wonderful things that God is doing right here in the Triangle. I ask you to e-mail your testimonies to editor@newseasonrtp.com. We will print first initial and last names only. The book of Revelations says that “we overcome by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony.” Please share your testimony and help your brother or sister overcome the challenges they are facing.

by Valderia D. Brunson
Editor-In-Chief of:
New Seasons Publications

Website:
www.newseasonrtp.com

(Reprinted with permission of New Season Publications)