The Christian Testimony by L. Uselding

             Today’s guest blogger, L. Uselding, works-full time as a public relations professional and spokesperson. Recently, she’s begun to see that the Lord wants her to be His spokesperson.  She’s wrestled with the idea because she thinks she is the least likely candidate for that important position.  However, she also knows it’s about grace and His mercy. This is her first devotion but she anticipates there will be many more to come.

            As a child, I loved God and spent quiet time with him. I loved going to church and singing praise songs. I wanted to do everything He wanted me to do and be; I enjoyed our moments together. This went on through my 20s. However, personally I don’t feel that the church of my childhood gave me the kind of tools I needed to really be in a one-on-one interactive relationship with God and Jesus and Holy Spirit. It was more of a one-way system and through a liaison.

            I met The Lord and began my walk through Bible Study Fellowship, an international Bible study. My former boss, and current spiritual mentor, Lisa Burkhardt-Worley, encouraged me to delve into the Bible so I did. That was in 2001 right after 9/11. I had moved home to Texas to care for my Mom before she passed away following a four year battle with cancer. On the day of her funeral service, I sat down and looked out the window of my childhood home at a tree in the back yard. The Lord spoke to me: I am the vine, you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

            Twelve years later I know that to be true. If I’m honest, some years the fruit hasn’t been there. Walking with the Lord for me is a consistent process of listening, surrendering, submitting and letting Him peel back the layers and clean out the rust. Sometimes I get angry or want to hide but I keep coming back and pray I always will. He’s promised me and us, …neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height not depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus the Lord. (Rom. 8:38-39)

             This is my testimony. Not growing up around church or church people, it has been a learning process to translate the lingo and terminology that is used to name things believers do. I recently submitted this for an application to my current church to be part of a mentor program with an older, wiser woman of faith. Trying to succinctly describe the unique journey one has in finding the Lord and knowing which part to highlight as a “testimony” is no easy writing task. I look forward to many more devotions in which I can describe and share truth from my walk with the Lord.