Rosanna's Testimony

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

 I asked my Grandpa McConaughy to write down for me and my children the Story of his Faith.  In reading that letter, I felt compelled that I should do the same.  Putting down in words what I believe might give me the impetus I need to get out of this valley I seem to be in. 

    I have been a believer for as long as I can remember.  I have studied the Bible, gone to Church, and been a Christian since childhood.  I was baptized at the age of 8.  My parents were very diligent in teaching me and grounding me in the firm foundation of the Bible.  My life is built on this foundation.  I firmly believe that if not for this foundation, the storms of my life would have wrecked me.  I don’t question my faith.  I did when I was younger, a bit, but God always answered my questions and really, Christianity just made sense to me.  You really do have to come to faith like a child - Children Love Jesus - they see the simplicity and the awesomeness in the Love of Jesus.  For some reason, the older we get, the “smarter” we get, the more we want to reason God away and make this life more about “me”; my choices, my life, my feelings, my will, etc...  But we always feel a yearning or a “hole” in our spirit where God should be and we continually try to fill that hole with other beliefs or shallow belief so that we don’t have to acknowledge the sovereignty of God or the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.

    I believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father but by him.  John 14:6   I believe that Jesus is God in the flesh, he was born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, he died on the cross for my sins and the sins of the world.  And he was resurrected on the third day.  See the Gospels

    I believe that all have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God.  Romans 3:23

    I believe that the wages of sin is death - there is no bell curve.  Romans 6:23

    I believe that through the sacrifice of Jesus, if we believe in him, repent and are baptized, and receive Him into our hearts we can be saved.  Without that we are lost and condemned to eternal destruction.  Romans 10:9

    I believe that God created this world by his Word in six days and rested on the seventh.  I believe God knows how long a day is and when he told us 6 days he meant 6 days.  I am pretty literal that way.  I believe God has awesome creativity totally beyond our comprehension; after all, he has full use of his brain while the average human only uses 10% of theirs (some less than others).  Genesis 1

    I believe the Bible is the Word of God - All of it.  “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”  2 Tim. 3:16

    I believe in the Trinity - Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.  Wholly one but wholly separate also.  I don’t understand it completely but I refer back to the “beyond comprehension” part of his brain (and his power).

    I believe God is omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.  And yet he has time for me.  In fact, he thinks I am special.  He thinks each one of us is special.  He spent time and thought creating each of us and he has a plan for our lives.  He loves me so much that he sent his Son for me.  

    I believe whether you or I believe or not - it still is.  His forgiveness and Love is there; we just have to humble ourselves and reach out for it.  And then we have to hang on for the rest of our lives.

    “When I received Jesus as my savior, He forgave my sins and promised me eternal life.  He has loved me even when I failed to show my love to Him through disobedience”  quoted from grandpa McConaughy.  And I add even when I am unlovable He still Loves me unconditionally.

    I believe God wants our love and obedience above all - more than our sacrifice, our money, our service, etc...  Nothing we do means anything if it isn’t what God wants from us and if it isn’t done out of Love for Him. 

    I am not open-minded about my beliefs.  I believe that a person can be so open-minded their brains leak out and they lose the good sense they were born with.

    I believe the plan God has for my life is disciple-ing my family and being a good witness to the people I come in contact with.  As easy as that sounds, it seems to be very hard for me.  Endurance, persistence, patience, and consistency are not easy things to live and be joyful while doing.  That is where my valley comes in.  I feel like I have been in the trenches for awhile; trying and plodding along but not making any visible headway.  Meanwhile, I am falling apart.  I have isolated myself somehow from support.  I find myself envious of those that have been wounded (or quit) and taken themselves out of the trenches and out of the fight.  I see them getting sympathy and “medical” care and I think maybe I deserve that too.  Maybe I should take a break from my “duty”, give up for a while.  I can always be a good Christian, a good mother, a good wife, etc... again later.    

    But this week, God has give me reassurance twice that He sees me and He is encouraging me to stick to it but also to rely more on Him for support instead of trying to go it alone.  Also I know that I need to find a fellowship of other believer’s for support and refreshing - to fight alongside me and pray with me and for me.  I was reading about John Quincy Adams and the passage said that J.Q. Adams took as his Motto, “Duty is ours;  Results are Gods”  Meaning that we should do our duty and leave the results up to God.  That takes the outcome out of my hands - I just need to keep doing what I am doing and quit worrying if it will work.  Then, this morning I read a devotion that talked about Habbakuk.  Habakkuk had a great hunger and thirst for God.  More than anything else he wanted to meet God.  The Lord honored his quest and fulfilled his heart’s desire.  All because he was faithful at his post of duty.  Habakkuk said, “I will stand upon my watch.  I will wait and see.”  The Lord answered Habakkuk and He answered me.  I will stand upon my watch.  I will do my duty (with Love) and leave the results in God’s hands.  I WILL bloom where I am planted!!

    I Pray that somehow this testimony brings you closer to God.  If you are a believer already, may it encourage you.  If you are not saved; I pray that you will read the Bible, and seek God’s face.  That you will believe in Jesus Christ - his sacrifice and his salvation plan for you.  And once you have that salvation, that relationship with God; do your duty and stand upon your watch!   God is Faithful and his results are Eternal.