Jennifer Lasiter

Having the godly family I do, I wasn't allowed to completely rebel. Instead I quietly strayed in my heart. I never minded being different in school because of my beliefs, and I actually liked them because I enjoyed being right and could argue a point well. Later, I saw the mistake of treating precious truths God had revealed as discussion topics.

On Friday, July 14th, 2000 I was standing in the kitchen of my home while I watched a conversation between my brother Michael and my Dad. My Dad was going to baptize a young man in our congregation later in the day. My younger brother Michael revealed that he also wanted to be baptized.

Michael had hesitation to do it that day though. In the past we had been indoctrinated in the belief that you must know so much, read so many church booklets, undergo so many months of counseling, etc, before baptism was even an option. After a short discussion involving the question, "Why wait???" Michael made his decision to go ahead and be baptized.

This is the moment I will never forget. Dad turned to me and said,- "I don't know why you don't." I can't describe how stunned I was in that second. My mind raced with thoughts and feelings of guilt, unworthiness and general self-loathing. I quickly stammered something about not being ready. Dad said,- "Do you really want to spend another day without Jesus?" "

I looked deep inside and realized for the first time in my my life that I didn't want to spend another day without fully receiving Jesus and the holy spirit He promised to give.

I knew that my happiest and most fulfilling times were when I was in the will of God. Making mistakes, but trying day by day to live obedient to His will. Tears filled my eyes and it became a reality that in that day I would become a child of the King.

So, in a nearby lake on that hot summer day I was baptized by my father in the presence of my family and the host of Heaven. I was told that my life would be different from that day, and I found that to be true. I still struggle with the strongholds that the enemy has succeeded in placing in me. But that's the important part,...I struggle. Not a struggle against God, but I struggle against sin, resisting Satan and his temptations. Like the Apostle Paul, we fight the good fight of faith. I know God has a plan for me. I have hope now.

This is not someone else's faith, this is mine. Jesus is my Savior. There is no life apart from Him. In His presence there is complete fulness of joy. You can't get better than that.

My goal is that with each day I bear the reflection of Christ a little clearer. As God's people, as young people, we must live holy. It is the only way. We will be called "self-righteous", but the way we live our lives will determine our place with God.

I heard a story once about a boy who had a pet lion. A man once inquired of him, "Isn't that dangerous?" The boy smiled and answered, "Yes,. . .but it's good." The Christian life isn't always easy, but it is "so good!"

No struggle in this place can be compared to the life to come. So if you have not bowed your knee to Christ Jesus, or not fully surrendered your life to Him, just do it. He loves you more than you can ever know. He demonstrated His love on the cross of Calvary.

For you who are allowing Christ to live in you already, keep looking upward to Jesus who perfects our faith and always take the high road. The road is narrow but it is straight and it leads to joy, peace and true fulfillment. We will spend eternity with our beautiful Savior in a world which He has made.

Give your all for the One who gave all for you. ". . .press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

Jen