April 29th: My Testimony

A year ago today, on April 29, 2018, I was baptized in the presence of a loving church family in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

Happy Rebirthday to me!

I had always wanted to be a Christian, had never doubted it for a second. Born into a Christian home, I was raised on Sunday School, bedtime prayers, and Jesus Loves Me, This I Know. I loved Jesus, had always loved Jesus, and knew one day I would give my life to him and be baptized into his death and resurrection. I was a Christian and I loved being a Christian. It was never a question or doubt for me, but something black-and-white, an absolute truth. Jesus had been baptized, so of course I would follow him. It was always a part of the plan.

I was a pretty cookie-cutter Christian kid. I followed the rules, always knew my memory verse, and took Jesus and the Bible very seriously. Some kids might have called me a goody-two-shoes. I know I probably had that reputation. Niki wouldn’t do that. Niki wouldn't say that. Don't bother asking Niki. She's too nice. I had given my heart to Jesus and was trying so hard to do everything right, to be the good Christian, to check all the boxes, to do everything I was supposed to do.

It was probably a pretty convincing performance, looking back on it now. But somewhere along the line came the realization that—(surprise)—it still wasn't enough. That even if I had the best reputation, even if I checked every last box, nothing I did could ever make me worthy of what Jesus did for me on the cross. I guess that's when I knew it was time to take the next step in faith. To surrender my life to the Saviour and say, "Jesus, I can't do this by myself, so thank you, thank you, thank you for doing it for me, and please take my life because I want it to be yours from now on. In your name, Amen."

Jesus had always meant something to me. Now I wanted him to mean everything. And one year later, after more stress, pressure, and tests of faith than I ever saw coming last April 29th, I can still say that everything is what I want him to be, today and always and forever. Hallelujah!