I would like to welcome Sarah, who is happy for me to ask her a question. Sarah lives in Manchester and works and worships in a local hospital and church and I am looking forward to reading her answer.
Graham’s Question:
“It’s often a point of debate as to how and when an individual may become aware, accepted and experience a conversion to become a follower of Jesus. Within religious and church traditions there are rites of passages such as Infant Baptism and Confirmation that represent a person entering into and becoming a part of the Christian family and community.
St Paul by bing.com
However, there are many who believe and have experienced Adult Baptism and individual conversion experiences like that of Saint Paul, on the road to Damascus, and in the words of Jesus’ to Nicodemus have been ‘born again’ and become known as a Christian (a follower of Jesus).
I wonder Sarah can you share with us how you experienced a personal faith in Jesus and what does it mean to be a disciple of Christ both within a church context and amongst family, friends and community? Is there any advice or encouragement you may want to share with our readers, especially those who have no faith background, as to how we should live in an increasingly secular society? Lastly in your experience, what are the challenges and benefits of being a follower of Jesus in 2024?”
Sarah Replies:
Thank you Graham for your question and I am very happy to be able to share my faith journey with your readers and what it means to me to be a Christian in 2024.
I was born in 1968 and christened at my local Church of England church, where I worship as an adult believer now. Back then, it was still very much the tradition for babies to be christened even if the parents were not practising Christians. It was just something that you did. Nowadays, sadly, that tradition has fallen away somewhat and is now more the exception than the rule.
As a child I also attended a Church of England primary school where Christian hymns were still very much part of the school assembly and the Christmas play was always about the nativity. Nowadays, this too has fallen away somewhat, except in faith schools.
Growing up, I can now see how fellow Christians were sowing seeds in my life which would later come to grow and bloom. At secondary school I had a number of Christian friends who were in the Christian Union.
While I did not really take their Christian faith on board for myself at this time, I could definitely see that there was something different about them and different in a good way and they were, no doubt, praying for me at that time. Also, I had an RE teacher who obviously saw something in me and was really encouraging me to take an O level in the subject. Unfortunately, this fell on deaf ears at the time.
After A levels I went to university and on a visit to the various stalls at fresher’s week, a Christian stall holder approached me and asked if I was a Christian? I answered that I wasn’t and she replied: “Not yet.” I can remember hurriedly moving onto another stall but her words definitely stuck with me. My beliefs at the time were probably something along the line that Christians were “funny folk” and should probably be avoided at all costs. How wrong I was!
Thank you pixabay
It wasn’t until 2002 that I finally had an epiphany and became a born again Christian. Growing up, my mum had experienced mental health problems and had been hospitalised several times. While at university, I had sadly lost a close friend to suicide. Then, after a lot of stress and other triggers, including memories of childhood trauma, I too experienced mental health problems and was hospitalised several times.
It was on one of these hospital admissions that I met a fellow patient who was a Christian and who led me to the Lord. I think the circumstances surrounding this were quite telling. I had, quite literally, reached the end of myself and was at one point found in a heap on the floor. I had exhausted all my usual ways of coping and was unable to go any further by myself. That is when I asked Jesus to step in and help me.
My Christian faith has literally saved me. Not only do I have a destination of eternity when I finally depart this mortal earth. But I also have the help and guidance of a Saviour to help me navigate my journey.
My Christian faith has become a lynchpin in my life. I attend my local church on a regular basis and am able to share my faith with like-minded Christians. My family are very aware of my Christian faith; however, they have not yet come to faith themselves. I do continue to pray for them and I keep sowing the seeds in the hope that they too will one day come to know the Lord.
One amazing thing that has happened to me as a result of my Christian faith is that I now work in a mental health setting, in fact at the very same mental health unit where I gave my life to Christ. I have worked at this hospital since 2006 and, if anyone had said that I would go from being a patient to starting work there just four years after my admission; I would never have believed them. But that is how God works and He is amazing.
Perhaps it is no surprise that one of my favourite scriptures from the Bible is: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). Those plans hold true for you as well. Giving my life to Christ is truly the best decision I have ever made and something I would recommend to everyone.
Of course, being a Christian is not without its challenges in today’s world. Having faith does not mean that life is a walk in the park – far from it. However, being a Christian means you have Jesus on your side walking the journey with you. At the time of writing this blog we have been shocked here in the UK by the senseless murders of three innocent children by a knife attacker in Southport and the injuries to another six children and two adults. (PS – below)
The news of this sent shock waves not only through the local community but throughout the world. The children were attending a Taylor Swift inspired dance class at the start of the school holidays when they were attacked. At times like these it can be difficult to see where God is in all of this?
However, it is at times like this that we need God more than ever. It is notable that, after the Southport attacks, the local churches rallied round to offer comfort and support to the local people. Some of the churches were open all night to offer a haven for people trying to come to terms with what had gone on.
When I am struggling to find God in my life, I am reminded of the poem “Footprints” which helps me see that Jesus, despite how I am feeling, is still with me. It gives me hope and I hope it does you too. The poem reads:
Footprints
Thank you Khadeeja
“One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonged to him and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. Lord you said that once I decided to follow you, you’d walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life there is only one set of footprints. I don’t understand why when I needed you most you would leave me.
The Lord replied: “My precious, precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it is then that I carried you.” (Author unknown).
In a largely secular world where we are all challenged by many things – the cost of living crisis, family problems, loss, work related problems, stressful situations, as well as worldwide issues such as war, famine, sewage being discharged into our waterways, stabbings, murders etc. – who wouldn’t welcome a friend like Jesus to carry them in their lives? I speak from experience that I am very glad to have Him in my life and would highly recommend this to you.
If you have been affected by my story and would like to welcome Jesus into your life, a simple prayer of salvation would be: “Father God, I repent of my sins. Please forgive me. Come into my heart, I make you my Lord and Saviour. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.”
If you have prayed that prayer, congratulations, you have become born again and a huge welcome to our Christian family. May God bless you abundantly.
Sarah and Graham
Selah: (Pause to think calmly on what has just been read) and check out A Time to Worship
PS – Check out – From the Heart
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