You finish reading Facing The Lion. This account was based on a little girl who remained faithful to her beliefs even if it would cost her life. After reading this book, I asked myself. Would I be able to remain faithful to my beliefs if I was put under the same persecution. Have I built up my trust and hope in God in order that he would preserve me alive.Alot of us seem to be so wrapped in our own lives, we often forget what is really important. I mean, as a Witness, I find that whilst I previously pursued a life of self indulgence I had no real happiness. I had the perfect job, the perfect house, beautiful friends but ultimately I never had real happiness. I questioned my purpose in life and asked myself, who do I live for? Looking at creation all around us, is it right to pursue our own selfish desires when we have a commission to fulfill to help and provide hope to others who may be lost in this cruel and heartless world.
My story generally goes, I had an abusive childhood brought up without love, care, consideration or kindness. When I turned 16, I was thrown out on to the streets and had to fend for myself, I quickly learned the skills I needed to survive on my own. However, Whilst I thought I knew the best way to live and I pursued higher education in order to progress myself in this world. I found that ultimately, I never found any contentment. I have always been a firm believer that we as humans have a purpose and that we also have a fine hope for the future. We were not created to live in such a cruel world and the way mankind runs itself is what can only be described as unnatural.
I plodded a long and got mixed with all the wrong people. I lost jobs, lost boyfriends and constantly found that nothing was permanent and nothing brought me happiness. I then married at 19, thinking this was obviously the right thing to do. I thrown myself into a violent and controlling relationship and it had resulted in the only way I knew how to break free was to end my life. It was at this point I questioned my selfish motives and what had led me to this point. In a sense I had a firm belief in God and had studied it throughout my youth. However, I never really learned of it's power to change peoples lives. The word of God exerts power and is sharper than any two edged sword. I had sank into a desperate struggle with life and had decided to flee from my husband, my family and my life and move across the country. To take a step back and anaylse my life from a distance. It was then I decided to contact the Jehovah's Witnesses and really throw myself into Gods service which offered me, my only hope of preserving myself alive.
I quickly took up all that the bible had to offer in the form of simplifying my life in order to restore my happiness. I was so anxious with everything money, men, bills, family, I had to cast that away from me and focus on getting my life in focus. Over 2 years I studied vigorously applied massive changes in my life, gave up my career, home, friends and returned to live with my mum in order that I can dedicate my life fully to serving God in the ministry. To me, there was no other way I was going to be able to cope in this world than to focus on the one who saved me from a situation that led me close to death. Put first the kingdom and everything else will be added to you. :)
So could I lay my life on the line similar to people as Marcel Sutter, well, as I draw closer to our creator I can honestly say I believe I could give up my life for my faith and hope in the future, because without it, there is no purpose to our lives.
