The story of my Salvation
September 2005 - For the first time in years I felt like I was in control of the outcome of my life. I had friends, a career, and a place of my own to call home and my precious 4 year old daughter. I realized, though, that my life was still lacking a very important component and that it could fall down around me at any moment. Also, even though I felt like I had everything on track according to social standards, I still thought there was more to life than that.
I always knew there was a God (or I thought I knew) and I had even called out to him in times of distress but I did not have a Biblical knowledge of who God is.
I started to attend a nearby church and met some girls around my age who were Christians. I literally went from the bars one weekend to church the next. I went to church every Sunday after that until January. I knew that I had to give my life to God but was terrified of being vulnerable. My pride was so strong that the thought of making a public profession would make my face burn with shame. I thought that if I took that leap of faith that I would be mocked in the streets. I wish I knew then that the Devil was already hard at work trying to hide the light of the gospel from me. The Bible says
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation". Romans 10:9-10
I was doing pretty good. Going to church, making new Christian friends, staying away from any alcohol and quitting swearing. It felt good to live a moral life, finally. In January 2006 I was studying for an exam that would set me up for the next step in my career. It was really stressful as I did not leave myself enough time to finish and that was all it took for me to give up on God. I was trying to live the Christian life in my own righteousness. As the Bible says:
"As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one" Romans 3:10
I tried to go back to my old life and friends and when that produced emptiness I flew around the world to Thailand by myself to escape my conscience and God. Just so you know, both can find you wherever you are in the world. It was a dreary trip in many ways. I was in one of the most immoral places in the world and I watched wide eyed at what the world truly had to offer. It was very difficult for me to understand what I needed to do because the gospel had never been explained to me clearly. The church that I was attending did not preach Christ crucified. They did not preach on sin and repentance so I was very much in the dark as to what would happen if I gave my life to God.
By the Grace of God I met a young Christian man on an island in Thailand (which , by the way I prayed that I would meet a Christian on the island and he was the first person I met!!!). We spent the week together on and off and I told him I had not surrendered to God. When we parted ways he gave me a tract that explained the gospel of Jesus Christ and he prayed for me.
When I arrived home 20 some hours later I jumped into my car and was contemplating driving to my mom's to pick up my daughter. It was about 11 PM when I started driving. At a certain point in the road I had a strong urge to go to an old (worldly-unsaved) friend's house and I had an equally strong urge to go to my Christian girlfriends' house to give my life over to God. I had only a couple of minutes to choose. Right or left. I chose life and God, praise the Lord! I went to Rebekah and Heather's house and asked them what I needed to do to accept Christ as my savior. I know that just by making the choice that the Lord regenerated me and that I was born again. I do not remember what passages they read to me from the Bible, I just remember releasing my fear and doubt and calling out to God to save me.
In the months to follow I sensed a conviction to find a church that would teach me how to have victory over the sin in my life. I was by no means suddenly sinless (and still am not sinless) but the Lord began a work in me that continues to this day
"Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ": Phil.1:6
I prayed to the Lord that He would find me a true church that preached the word of God. It was only 2 or 3 Sundays after praying that I visited Victory Baptist Church. I knew it was an answer to prayer by reading the Pastor's Pen that day which was titled "Convicted or offended …."
It took three months of Pastor Harness's preaching from the Bible for me to finally realize that I could know, without a doubt, that I was saved and going to Heaven. What a precious gift that God has given us through his son:
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life". John 3:16
I now have a purpose in life and a peace in the knowledge of my eternal home. I also have great peace in knowing that Christ has overcome the world.
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". John 16:33
I have victory over sin with the help of the Holy Spirit. My daughter has come to accept Christ as her Savior, I married a wonderful Christian man and I have deep and true fellowship with my brothers and sisters in Christ. I wish to share how Christ saved me from sin, death and Hell so that others may have the same hope and relationship with their creator. Don't let the Devil hide the glorious light of the Gospel from your eyes.
"In whom the god of this world (Satan) hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them". 2Cor. 4:4
Honestly seek out the truth of your existence and I promise that you will never regret making a decision to trust in the finished work of Jesus Christ crucified and resurrected.
In Christ,
Katharine Driedger
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