There is no turning back for me!

Oct 16, 2022 News

---

==My Testimony==

By Sharmain Grainger

Kaieteur News – The year 2022, thus far, has been filled with a whirlwind of events that has positioned me to truly fulfil my destiny of living for Christ Jesus. I have been daily learning to take the limits off of my Lord and Saviour and I share no fable when I tell you He has simply been blowing my mind by showing me just how incredible and awesome He really is.

My total dependence on Him has literally transformed my life. For a protracted period of my life, I felt I was hopeless and helpless but today I am absolutely confident that I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians chapter 4, verse13). As such, I have been boldly availing myself for any mission that is poised to bring honour and glory to the name of Jesus.

However, my decision to be outspoken about my faith has seemingly been quite an annoyance to some people, even some ‘believers’. That certainly doesn’t bother me but when someone has the audacity to tell me, “I am surprised that for a black girl you believe in Jesus,” it became my God-given right to make it pellucid that not just me and the others who believe, but ALL AND SUNDRY will one day bow down in reverence to Him.

There I was, one day last week, minding my own business reflecting on the awesomeness of my Lord and Saviour and a beautiful song, ‘Atmosphere Shift’ by Jubilee Worship featuring Phil Thompson, came to mind. I started singing one of its verses: “Every knee will bow down, Every tongue will confess, That Jesus Christ, You are Lord,” and was soon interrupted by a man within ear-shot, who thought the lyrics warranted ridicule.

Recognising this to be an attack, I not only rebuked the enemy but made it clear to that man, who was clearly being used, that one day we will all call Jesus Lord. This is stated quite clearly at Romans, Chapter 14, verse 11: ‘As surely as I live,’ says the LORD, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’ (New Living Translation)

These days, I haven’t got the time nor the energy to entertain those who, in comical ways, try to disprove that Jesus is Lord. I am not guessing – this is a fact, I have experienced that Jesus is Lord and it is for this reason that I must profess His name and encourage others to do the same.

When you have been relieved of all the cares of this world and you realise that it had absolutely nothing to do with anything good that you did, but rather the ramson that Jesus paid, you can appreciate the importance of wholeheartedly serving Jesus. When you come to the realisation that there is simply no losing with Jesus, you are compelled to tell others about his goodness and mercy that could never, never fail.

My outspokenness about Jesus these days has also caused quite a number of people to conclude that I am a ‘new convert’. But this couldn’t be farther from the truth – I am by no means a ‘new convert’.

I wasn’t yet a teenager when I accepted Jesus into my heart and was water baptised, and later became ‘Holy Ghost-filled’. But sadly, sometime after, much like Peter before the crucifixion, I denied my Lord and Saviour and opted to live a wayward life which took me down a ‘rabbit hole.’

So yes, for quite some time I ran from the Lord’s calling on my life, but I was raised by a mother who taught me to live based on the principles of the bible. I saw what living for Jesus looked like my whole life but curiosity about an opposing lifestyle, I can attest, can prove to be very injurious.

I was convinced that I was doomed to die a lost soul, but Jesus came to my rescue; He parted the ‘red sea’ all over again just so I could get to safety and have a renewed life in Him. There is absolutely no way I am going to waste this golden opportunity by pretending that Jesus is not real when I know, without a doubt, He did the impossible for me.

Because of what Jesus did for me when He died on the cross, I am truly happy to live a life that fully embraces Romans chapter 10, verse 10, “For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.”

I know many people would love to see the return of the ‘old’ me, but that version is dead and gone. According to 2 Corinthians chapter 5, verse 17, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The ‘old’ has gone, the ‘new’ is here!” I have been resurrected with Christ and the ‘new’ life He gave me has ignited a fire in me that cannot be quenched.  He has reinforced my will to serve Him with impenetrable faith, as such, no devil can bring me down.

I am no longer living for myself or the pleasures of this evil world, for he has placed in me a desire to daily aspire to rule in due season with Him (read Revelation chapter 2, verses 26-28).  Those who are offended by the ‘new’ me can take it to the Lord in prayer, for in the name of Jesus, there is no stopping me; absolutely no turning back.

May God help us, who believe, to live Romans chapter 12, verse 11, “Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.”

 

 

 

---

---