Previous Challenge Entry (Level 1 – Beginner)
Topic: FAITH (strong, confident belief in God) (02/26/15)
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TITLE: Point of no return | Previous Challenge Entry
By Maretha Retief
03/05/15 -
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A choice was put in front of me and I had to face it, whether I wanted to or not.
For years I followed my own will and made God part of what I was doing instead of making myself part of His plan for me. My idea of just being a Christian was good enough for me, but was keeping me from the best I was entitled to through my faith in Christ.
As I was standing there at the brink of death, a point where the doctors almost gave up hope, a point where they were of the view that only a miracle from heaven could safe me, was the point where my faith was put to the test.
Was I willing to choose His way for me or was I going to continue satisfying my own desires? Did I truly believe that Christ died for me? Did He die for me to live a life working for other people's approval? Running from one achievement to the next, but never touching one soul for God's kingdom? Was it enough to live a life where I was known as the Christian girl, but facing many situations where I wondered whether I really knew who Christ was?
This was the moment where my faith in Christ was tested beyond the reasoning of my human mind. I could clearly see the choice I was given: My will against the will of God. Was I going to surrender my idea of a successful life to a life where having Him with me was enough? Did I choose Jesus and what He had for me or was I going to continue claiming to have faith, but at the same time living a self-righteous life?
Seconds towards breathing my last breath, the reality of what I thought was the end became a life-turning point I never deserved, but gained through a Love I could not comprehend.
Seconds rushed into minutes and minutes became a couple of hours when the outcome became clear… apart from my mistakes I was given a second chance as new life was breathed into me, but it was no longer about my will, but only about God's will for me!
So the moment came whether I was going to pierce the invisible veil and step into the arena of sacrifice where I can see and trust God even for the things I do not see.
My journey was no longer about convenience and window-shopping through the Bible, but all about trusting the One that defines my faith. Faith was no longer a way of getting what I want but about becoming who I was meant to be.
The days of putting God and His Word on the bookshelf of my heart were over. My life was no longer about trusting my own efforts to become what I thought I should be, but giving everything of who I am and what I become, in Christ and let Him dictate the direction my life.
My “point of no return” might not be the same as yours, but we all reach that point where there might no longer be another time to choose what you stand for. In your moment, what or Who will you choose?
Non-fiction
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Thanks for sharing your climactic testimony with the Challenge.
We are not God's puppets. He lets us make the move: heaven or hell.
I noticed some of your sentences could use some tightening and smoothing out. For example, if I were editing this, I might suggest you switch the opener to something like this: I had to choose between standing firm in my faith in Christ or bow down to my doubts and fears.
It cut out several unnecessary words and gets to the heart of the matter quicker.
Overall, you did a great job with this one. I believe it'll touch people in ways you might never imagine. You nailed the topic. I've learned that not only do I need to have faith in Jesus, but I also need to have faith in myself. Sometimes the latter seems hard, yet it speaks volumes about the former.
If you haven't already checked out Jan's Writing Basics on the message boards, I'd urge you to do so. She has great lessons for all levels of writers.
Wing His Words