Jonathan’s Testimony

“In Him we were chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will.” – Ephesians 1: 11

          Six years ago I was asked if I wanted to go through my confirmation ceremony. Many uncertain thoughts ran through my head like a stampede, and all I could say was, “I’m not ready.” It was during a time when my mind was clearly not in the right place, I was drawing myself away from the church, mainly because of schoolwork, and also because I’m just not interested. Don’t get me wrong, my faith was still pretty strong at that time, I’ve only concluded that I didn’t feel the need to confirm my belief in front of everyone, this religion is just between me and God. No one else.

          So why now? Why after all this time have I decided to go through this confirmation ceremony? Well, this all started near the end of 2019. Finished an exam, found new hobby, and my life was pretty decent, didn’t have much to care about except me. That’s when my brother asked if I wanted to join the church band, and of course I said no, because I wasn’t into it, even when all my friends are there. I was always thinking, “What if I don’t like it if I joined? What if going back to this church is a bad idea, and I’d feel obligated to do something I don’t want?” Having those thoughts caused me to dismiss the idea, and it felt indifferent, because I didn’t think it would change my life.

          When 2020 came, it came like a kick in the nuts. People were panicking, getting sick, and dying all over the world. With everything going on, it had me thinking about what it means to be alive. Then the band asked me for the third time if I was willing to serve with them. A thought sparked into my head, and my life changed. All my life, I’ve always thought about possible outcomes and kept saying “why” and “what if?”, and I realized those thoughts has brought so much regrets in my life. So for the first time in my life, I said, “Why not?”

          To this day I am still grateful to God for that decision.

          Serving with the band has changed my perspective on my religion and my life. I became more willing to accept new challenges, and with a lot of help, more willing to meet more people. Because of my fellow bandmates and friends, my relationship with God has grown immensely over this past year, to extents unimaginable to me. I’ve always thought that I can gain nothing from being at church, now I just want to see how much I can give to the church. That, in fact, has helped me gained so much more. My mind, my heart, and my soul were stronger than ever.

          “I can do all this through Him who gives me strength.”- Philippians 4:13

          Call it a leap of faith, a gut check. I trust God to guide me through good times and bad ones. He has prepared a path for me, and I intend to walk it, whatever it may bring. I have found myself through His grace, and He has saved me.

          I am in this for real.