Thankful for my Savior!

"But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior" Titus 3:4-6


We had an incredible baptism service on Sunday! I still get emotional over it. The older I get, the more mature in my faith I get, the more I realize the intentions behind baptism. I was raised in a church were the babies get baptized. This symbolizes the cleansing of the "original sin". This was also a commitment by my mom and sponsors to raise me in the right way. Later, I then went through confirmation, or "affirmation of my baptism". This for me, meant another "rite of passage". It was tradition for me as a Lutheran to go through this ceremony. It was supposed to represent my decision to follow Christ. (However, let me first put a disclaimer out there by saying, I don't feel that my baptism as a child was wrong, I don't think confirmation was wrong, I believe this both played key parts in my life today.) The few years to follow my confirmation were years spent trying to find myself. I always thought something was missing. I believed in my head there was a God, I believed there was this guy named Jesus who died for me, I believed I should live morally, but I didn't think I needed to live sold out for anything. Heck, I wasn't even really sure what that meant. 
Then I met one of the people that would shake my "religious" world upside down. She talked to me about a God who loves us because of who we are, not the things we have done. (this was crucial as I was walking a path that could have led to destruction with seriously poor choices) She talked about a Jesus that will see me through anything. She talked about a way out of even our dumbest mistakes. I was skeptical because of her church affiliation. It wasn't until God picked me out of Wi and brought me to Ok that I started to see what she was talking about. I saw people walking with the power of God like never before. I'll never forget sitting in church that Sunday morning with a pounding in my chest I couldn't control. I tried fighting it with every ounce of energy I had. I was wondering if people could actually see my heart pumping out of my chest because I could have sworn it was! For the first time, I felt the presence of God in my life. I, myself, without anyone telling me exactly what it was, felt Jesus moving in my heart. I felt Him tell me that I needed to change my life or my life wouldn't matter. I heard Him say He loved me just the way I was. (it was definitely as whisper at this time)
So I decided to get baptized. I decided I needed to make a choice. Live the path of destruction or change to be sold out for eternity. With people pulling me in different directions, some saying, "no you don't need to. You are already baptized". Some saying, "go for it girl, if that's what you think you need to do". But deep down, I KNEW without a doubt, and for the first time I was so sure about it, that I needed to commit my life to Christ. I made a pact with God that every moment of my life from here on out would be for Him. He saved me from the wretched life I was living and has filled my heart with confidence, love, hope, joy, and peace. The once whisper of knowing He loves me just the way I am, is now heard clear as day. "Alesha, I love you just the way you are. You are beautiful inside and out. Alesha, did you know you're mine? Your Daddy loves you." 


Yes, I still stumble, I still have days where I feel it's easier to give into the lies thrown my way. But I know that my God loves me. I know my Daddy in Heaven is looking down on me and guiding my path. Every now and then I like to take my own "shortcuts" but I quickly learn the only place I get faster is trouble. 


This past Sunday watching my fellow believers, my brothers and sisters in Christ commit their lives to Christ, I am reminded of the choice I once made. To lay the old life down and rise up with Christ! He has rocked my world ever since! He has taken me to places I never dreamed I would go. He has rocked my world! My prayer is that one day, you will also see what is said in Titus 3, "he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy". That you don't have to live a perfect life. You don't have to come from lots of money or a powerful position. Besides, I've learned the most powerful position is on your knees before the Throne. You don't have to do anything, except, allow Jesus to love you where you are at, allow Him into your heart, and ask for His forgiveness. He's already given it to you, you just have to accept it. I pray that you would feel the love and joy in your heart just because Jesus thinks you're to die for and you're worth it!