This is my story, my narrative, my perspective.
Yes, I was one of those kids who was brought up in church and that is essential in my story. I am extremely thankful for my parents and their guidance in my relationship with Christ.
Picture a 12-year-old Taylor entering those dreadful middle school years, but also embarking on the most important and life-altering journey that I’d ever go on. Week after week that year, I sat in every church service, feeling something tugging at me. I knew what I was supposed to do. I went to years of VBS, learning all about the ABC’s. It took me forever and a day to finally act on that though. You know me- Taylor Procrastination Hamm. I avoided it. Why? I don’t know. One day, I had finally had enough. Something inside of me was just eating me up. I had to move. I had to take action. I told my mom that I wanted to talk to my pastor, and I made the decision to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I knew that I was a sinner. I knew that Christ’s blood was shed to save me, even though I undeserving. It wasn’t until much later that I really understood what being an authentic Christian was about though.
Throughout middle and high school, I was the typical good girl. I stayed away from things that I knew I wasn’t supposed to do and I even went to youth group a lot. Because that’s what being a Christian is all about right? My life was filled with religion and good deeds and I convinced myself that I was living exactly how God wanted me to. That is what I though the basis of a relationship with Christ was, but I didn’t know Him. I knew about Him, but I didn’t KNOW Him. Something inside of me wanted more, but what was it?
Moving away to college, being on my own, and truly discovering who I was as a person birthed something so much more inside of me than I could have ever imagined. I found out what I really believed in, not just what I was told to believe in. I began to sincerely get to know my Father and my Redeemer. He showed me that the way I was living was not all that He wanted. He wanted me and He wanted me to get to know Him, as deeply as He already knew every single part of me. He started revealing His power, by working within me on a daily basis. I now had a relationship, a true, growing relationship with Christ. He gave me a passion for His Word and revealed things in Scripture that I had never once soaked in before. He showed me that my relationship with Him was the only thing that ultimately mattered. I began seeing His true character, His beauty in all of His creation, and His love in every person’s face. Can anything be more exciting?
Today, I know that my Christ lives. He was and is, because I can see His Spirit working in my life and so many others’ lives and He continues to change lives every second. He shows me something new every day. He knows me inside and out. He knows my imperfections, all of my weaknesses, every part of me, and uses them to exemplify His remarkable glory. All of my joy is found in Him and Him alone. Christ has paid my debt. His blood has covered my sins now, tomorrow, and forever. I don’t have to be perfect before Him, because He loves me unconditionally, despite all of the times I show my conditional love for Him. He looks past that. I don’t need to rely on the things and people of this world. My God is all I need. He is the Sustainer, and the Great Shepherd that is leading me on a path that He alone has orchestrated. I have confidence in who I am in Him and by His constant reassurance, I trust that He has a bigger purpose for my life than I could ever dream of. I want to live recklessly for Him and share the greatest thing to ever happen to me. So, what is YOUR story?
