Undeniable
In the fall of my junior year of college, I was in England as a study abroad student. One day after class, a bunch of my friends and I walked to the computer lab in the library to check our emails and do some research. I received around eight emails telling me to call home as soon as possible. I didn't know what to think - maybe my mom or sister got into a bad accident, something bad happened to my dad, someone's in the hospital? I walked nervously to the payphone on the first floor and dialed what felt like a million of numbers (international phone card) to finally get a ring to my brother's phone. He answered in a somber, groggy voice and said, "Gina, mom died. Herbert shot mom."
Shocked, I shriveled up to the floor of the library as a horrendous moan from the pit of my stomach literally poured out of my body in the once-quiet library. My body could not stop shaking. Once I stopped wailing my brother calmly said, "Gina, I want you to go buy another ticket to come home for a bit. After the funeral and all, I want you to go back to England because I know mom would want you to go back." I hung up the phone and was still in the state of shock. I wanted to pray but I wasn't even able to think straight, all I knew was if I just cried out to God, He would calm my spirit and give me direction.
I ran upstairs to find at least one of my two Christian friends, Jessica and Pam, who were in the same program. I didn't find any of them. I then rushed out of the library and back to the dorms to try to find them. Still crying, shaken and shocked, I found Pam and frantically asked her to pray for me, for my mom was just killed. We sat in her dorm and held hands as I was uncontrollably crying and she just prayed that God would just comfort me. My sister-in-Christ prayed for me when I couldn't put my thoughts together nor utter the words. I thank God for that; for it is only by the blood of Jesus Christ do we have that kind of relationship. That was when another undeniable experience occurred. In that dorm room, as Pam prayed for me, a spirit of peace took control. A spirit of calmness came over me. It was like angels filled that room, allowing me to experience a piece of heaven. It was like... I had so much peace that it felt like I was... floating on clouds... and God was carrying me through it. The realness of God, my Lord Jesus Christ, my Savior, my Redeemer, my Father, my Prince of Peace, my Hero, my Husband was... undeniable.
I can't tell you how much God's worked in my family's life and my life in just one sitting - there's just too many great things He's done and I'm only twenty-something! J I know that I still have a lot to learn and I look forward to what He's going to teach me next. Despite the tragedy, uphill (mountain) battles, and hopeless moments, God has proven to be the true provider of hope, joy and peace. And it's not a mind over matter thing nor is it fluff - He is real and it is honest.
I just like to encourage you to give Jesus Christ a chance. He has been passionately pursuing you. Allow Him to love you. Open yourself to receive His love. Try to get to know Him better. And our Bible study, Initium: New Beginnings is a great way to start. You'll make good friends and find out more about the Lord I speak about. I look forward to meeting you soon.
Matthew 11:28-30 (NLT)
Then Jesus said, "Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light."