Spoken Word, Topic 4: Testimony

I told my friend yesterday that I'm going on a mission

She said, "What, I didn't even know you were a Christian!

If you tell me how you came to be one, I just might listen

Cuz I can tell that something about you has changed."

So I shared the story of a life God's rearranged:

"The last time I saw you was in a cloud of herbal smoke

Back then I thought the gospel was a mere joke.

I used to party with you until I'd feel nice and light

Cuz the stress of school overwhelmed me every night.

I heard good grades were the only way

So I'd study like crazy every minute of the day.

This summer I realized the life I was living was a fraud

I found truth in China while studying abroad

My heart broke each time we'd walk amongst the poor

I hoped they had faith in something more.

My friend Pete saw my curiosity as an open door

So he shared the message of salvation

But my interest was plagued by hesitation.

As soon as we arrived back home

I bought a Bible, thought it was just a regular tome

But Pete's girlfriend Esther took me to a church called Nightlife anyway.

I was amazed at what the pastor had to say,

That we can have a real relationship with Jesus,

The Son of Man who forgives our sins and frees us.

September is a month I'll always remember - 

My friend Nikki invited me to InterVarsity Christian Fellowship.

At first I thought making it to church was enough of a trip

But Pete said he knew the advisor, for my salvation they had prayed

So I ended up going, although I was a bit afraid.

I was drawn to the joy of the students

And after being there for only a few moments - 

Before I even found a seat - 

They invited me to their weekend retreat.

The next day I found myself on the North Shore

With new friends who kept faith real to the core.

I wanted to share in their overflowing love,

Wished I could believe in God above.

I thank Him now for His incredible pace

Because this is a memory I'll always embrace:

See, the next weekend was Nightlife's retreat,

When the Holy Spirit I actually had the chance to meet.

But before this spiritual encounter took place,

We confessed our sin and received His grace.

The retreat ended with a session of prayer

The pastor came and laid a hand upon my hair.

I told God I wanted to believe, asked Him to fill me so I would know

I felt warm, as if I was bathing in a heavenly glow.

The next thing I knew, I was on the floor,

Thanking God for reaching me through China's poor.

I knew from that moment that God exists,

That his love for you and me persists.

My heart was burning with desire

To always be near His holy fire.

I heard Him say He's given responsibilities to all men,

And to learn mine I'd have to pick up the pen.

I felt called to go on a mission,

Back to China is what I had envisioned.

Over the next few weeks I looked for ways to serve God overseas

But I was discouraged by the incredibly costly fees.

And my parents, who were shocked to learn I'd given my life to Jesus

asked me, "Are you planning a mission trip just to grieve us?"

I got to thinking that maybe I had misheard God,

But then the advisor of InterVarsity said she wanted to take us abroad

She felt led by God's hand 

To take us to Bangladesh and Thailand.

She announced a partnership with Nightlife's pastor - 

Seriously, what more could I ask for?

But when I told my parents the good news,

My dad said, " I can't let you go, I must refuse - 

You don't know what you're getting into,

You don't understand what you're putting us through."

Almost every conversation would end in a fight,

My only defense was to pray with all my might.

I asked God to change my dad's decision

If I was really meant to be part of the mission.

Eventually my dad gave in - 

He said, "I know I can't win.

I understand that I have to let you go,

Why you'd want to go to these countries, I'll never know.

But we're here to support you,

We're just afraid of losing you."

"Don't worry about losing me,"

I told him.  "The Lord will help you to see

That as long as we're with Him, we'll be together for eternity." "

My friend looked at me with widened eyes,

Said the decision to submit to Christ was wise.

She's a believer, too,

I just never knew!

She wants to work on her spiritual fitness,

So please pray that God will help her be a great witness!