I rarely talk about my Salvation because it concerns me & not the Gospel, which is my priority. That said, I’m going to talk about it because its been so incredible, & its pretty powerful testimony. This is and will be my life’s testimony.

The transformation in my life since July of last year has been nothing short of a miracle. Knowing and being on the inside of this process, it is a miracle. I’ve been shown more signs, received more divine mentoring & guidance & wisdom from the Holy Spirt than I could have ever imagined. I’ve even been spoken to by God on several occasions. When He spoke to me for the first time after my Salvation, He said “You have no idea what I have in store for you young man.” He was right.

I never expected or asked for any of this. I simply told God last July my life was now in His hands and to do what he wanted with me. What was different this time though, was I meant it.

When I was saved that day, God entered my soul like a lightning bolt. I was running in the park and I froze because I had just heard God’s voice speak inside of me. My GPS pace said 11:11, my wristwatch said 11:11 and my iPhone said 11:11. Later that night I glanced up at the kitchen clock on the way to bed and it said 11:11.

That number was the time I was born, at 11:11 AM. Its on my birth certificate.

For me, it wasn’t a gentle experience. For some it is, I guess everyone is different. I’ve heard it described as a gentle wind. For me it was like being overwhelmed instantly by God’s power. It caused so much physical & emotional & spiritual pain I can only liken it to what it would be like dying and being born at the same time. I guess in a sense it was. I was aware shortly afterwards of the spiritual gifts I was given. I couldn’t really do anything with them (as I soon realized), but I was ready to take on the world. I had all these amazing and grand plans. I think that’s pretty common to feel that way at first from having heard others’ salvation experiences.

It actually took me a very long time to even grow spiritually enough to realize I hadn’t even begun to crawl yet.

Since then, as the process of Salvation continues – I’ve been tempted numerous times, experienced a satanic attack, had my faith tested to its absolute limits, experienced more pain & sorrow than I could have thought possible & survive, and been isolated by God almost completely during this process.

It culminated this past Easter Sunday, on the day of resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Afterwards, the storm began to pass as I (assume) passed the last test He put me through before that season of my life could come to a close.

Will there be more seasons like that? I don’t know. But the man who has emerged from this storm or crucible, or whatever, has been forged by our Lord into one of His beloved sons.

I’m still crawling, but I’m aware now of what a capable & strong man of God I’m being transformed into. And every last ounce of pain, disappointment, and sorrow I’ve experienced has been worth it. When He showed me the vision of specifically where and what I would be doing I understood the level of integrity, strength & faith I would need to carry out His mission.

Because ultimately that’s what this is about. Carrying out God’s mission. Nothing comes above God & that mission. Not relationships or even family. God must come first. But in doing so, I am able to give back so much more to the people I love than I ever could’ve done before. Funny how that works.

I still have stress in my life, but I’m learning not to stress about it. I sometimes feel lonely, but I am learning I’m never alone. I don’t worry about my future, because like my tattoo says, “God’s got this.” His promises are a certainty. He’s going to provide for me more than I could ever imagine than if I tried to make it happen on my own. I am guided by His will in life now and not my own, regardless of the outcome.

If it sounds like you’re surrendering your freedom & will in life when you give yourself to God and vow that His will be done and not your own, I can tell you that there is so much freedom in it that I can’t even put it into words.

I no longer play for victory in this life. I play from victory, knowing that with God’s presence in my life – I’ve already won the game.