Kristi’s Story

I was very young when I trusted Jesus. I do not remember exactly how old, but probably 7-8 years old. My parents took us to church regularly, and I attended Wednesday night kids activities, which in the 90s was kids choir and GAs (Girls in Action). As a part of growing up, I remember that my parents bought a picture book of Bible stories that we read before bed. I knew at church people would talk about “asking Jesus into their hearts,” but I did not fully understand what that meant. In one of the Bible stories, it talked about how followers and believers of Jesus Christ are written in the Book of Life, destined for eternal life with Jesus Christ, and those not found in the Book of Life were to be subject to eternal punishment. While at that young age I could not have eloquently described the process of salvation with fancy terminology, even as a child I recognized that I had done wrong things in my life (sin) and that I needed Jesus to take away my sin, and I recognized that I needed Him. I prayed that I believed in him, putting my faith in Him, even at a young age.

Over time, my knowledge developed more in the concepts of salvation, faith, sin, and forgiveness. When I was in fifth grade, I participated in the AWANA program, and I learned the scriptural references for the process of salvation. I learned that all humans are sinners (Romans 3:23), and that because we are sinners we deserve death (Romans 6:23). Even though we are sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8), and that if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). That in him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, and that one day we will be united with Christ (Ephesians 1:7-10). Even though I do not have a specific date in which I placed my faith in Jesus, it was a continual process through several years of my childhood in which I recognized my need for a Savior and ultimately accepted Jesus Christ. I was baptized in 9th grade after returning home from AWANA camp that summer, completing the process of declaring my faith publicly in Jesus.

In college, I had quite a period of growth in my walk with Jesus, as I had to take complete ownership of my faith as a new adult. It was at that time that I first became a member of a church. I underwent several trainings throughout college, including sharing the gospel and my testimony, for which I am grateful as I became a lot more comfortable with sharing my story. From there, I was able to lead Bible studies, teach youth group, and go on mission trips. I am very thankful for the mentors I had during that time.

After college, I started medical school, got married, and found that life was drastically different from previous years, in both challenging and exciting ways. I eventually went to residency, had two kids, changed jobs, and moved to multiple different cities. I have at times been very close to Jesus in my personal walk, and at times more distant. I am confident, though, that my hope remains in Jesus Christ, and that we will eventually be united with him. As I am currently going through a study in Revelation (which is fitting considering it stirred my realization of a need for a savior), Nancy Guthrie writes in her book Blessed that “God has chosen to reveal, His perspective to us so that we can meet the uncertainty, the unfairness, and the undoing of life in this world with faith and hope.” We will have trials in this life, but I am so very thankful that Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).