I was born into a Christian family in Papua New Guinea. My parents were missionaries at the time but we had to come home to New Zealand because my mum and I had malaria. At the age of four I went to church in Kaeo and listened to a man in Sunday School who read 1 John 1:9 which says, “If we confess our sins He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” I also heard how Christ died for the things that we had done wrong. Because it made sense I talked to my mum but it went no further until I went to stay with a friend and went to his church and saw the same guy with the same message and at this stage became a Christian.
Isaiah 43:1-2 has also been given to me by different people at the right time. “Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name and you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you, when you pass through the fire you will not be burned. The hard trials that come against you will not hurt you – For you are precious to me and I love you.” God doesn’t say that we won’t go through trials, but he does promise to go through them with us.
Isaiah 43:1-2 has also been given to me by different people at the right time. “Fear not for I have redeemed you. I have called you by name and you are mine. When you pass through the waters I will be with you, and the rivers will not overwhelm you, when you pass through the fire you will not be burned. The hard trials that come against you will not hurt you – For you are precious to me and I love you.” God doesn’t say that we won’t go through trials, but he does promise to go through them with us.
The same year I became a Christian my life changed as my parents separated and God became my father, my shield and my comfort. Up until 10 years of age I had a good childhood, then my retina got detached causing three years of operations and epilepsy kicked into action, which as well as being annoying for the next four years at school caused me to lose every friend I ever made and was the one to be picked on and beaten up.
During this time I developed overly strong hatred for my Dad, after trying to deal with it myself, begging God to take it away I felt I had to talk to Dad about it. Although he wouldn’t talk to me about it, I sent a letter begging his forgiveness. Although he did not reply, God just took the hatred away. At this time I clung to God my rock and learned that with God there is a purpose in life and that the trials that we go through give us wisdom and bring us closer to God.
It was at the age of 14 that God worked through a fellow Christian to get me to accept myself as I am. One day I had a fit at youth group, the next day I rang her to explain what happened, said goodbye and hung up. The next day I received a letter saying God does not make mistakes, you think that because you’re an epileptic that it is something really terrible and that epilepsy makes you less valuable as a person. But God loves you as you are, because that is how he made you.
For the next 11 years I was one of the youth leaders for our church because I knew what it felt to need a friend, to not have anyone to talk to, and the things that teenagers went through. I wanted to be there for them and to be the connection between them and Jesus. I was also in a Christian singing group, which went to churches from Auckland to America to challenge and encourage Christians in their faith. Through these I found out that God can use us to His glory if we are willing.
To problems in life I have a small list of answers, which can be condensed to GOD IS FAITHFUL. I don’t say that lightly or without thought, I say it because I know it’s true and I have discovered it’s true no matter what’s happening in life.
With confidence, I add these words to the end of the worst statements in my life:
Sometimes God doesn’t seem to be faithful because our prayers are not answered as we expect. I have to change my expectations, if the whole purpose of my life is to learn to love God and to show his compassion to the world. Then what He is doing in me is more important than what He is doing for me. I have discovered through many tears that if I will bring every jagged edge of my life to Him, He will continue to mould me to become the man I am called to be. Also there is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still. Whatever is happening with you right now as your brother in Christ I urge you to meditate on these words of life.
God Is Faithful!
During this time I developed overly strong hatred for my Dad, after trying to deal with it myself, begging God to take it away I felt I had to talk to Dad about it. Although he wouldn’t talk to me about it, I sent a letter begging his forgiveness. Although he did not reply, God just took the hatred away. At this time I clung to God my rock and learned that with God there is a purpose in life and that the trials that we go through give us wisdom and bring us closer to God.
It was at the age of 14 that God worked through a fellow Christian to get me to accept myself as I am. One day I had a fit at youth group, the next day I rang her to explain what happened, said goodbye and hung up. The next day I received a letter saying God does not make mistakes, you think that because you’re an epileptic that it is something really terrible and that epilepsy makes you less valuable as a person. But God loves you as you are, because that is how he made you.
For the next 11 years I was one of the youth leaders for our church because I knew what it felt to need a friend, to not have anyone to talk to, and the things that teenagers went through. I wanted to be there for them and to be the connection between them and Jesus. I was also in a Christian singing group, which went to churches from Auckland to America to challenge and encourage Christians in their faith. Through these I found out that God can use us to His glory if we are willing.
To problems in life I have a small list of answers, which can be condensed to GOD IS FAITHFUL. I don’t say that lightly or without thought, I say it because I know it’s true and I have discovered it’s true no matter what’s happening in life.
With confidence, I add these words to the end of the worst statements in my life:
- Just as I got married, my Dad was dying of cancer and my Aunt and Uncle died in a car crash: But God is Faithful.
- I lost my job and I don’t know how to pay the bills: But God is Faithful.
- My child is seriously sick and I don’t know what to do: But God is Faithful.
Sometimes God doesn’t seem to be faithful because our prayers are not answered as we expect. I have to change my expectations, if the whole purpose of my life is to learn to love God and to show his compassion to the world. Then what He is doing in me is more important than what He is doing for me. I have discovered through many tears that if I will bring every jagged edge of my life to Him, He will continue to mould me to become the man I am called to be. Also there is no pit so deep that God’s love is not deeper still. Whatever is happening with you right now as your brother in Christ I urge you to meditate on these words of life.
God Is Faithful!
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