Through the Storm: My Story Part 1

(In this series titled “through the storm: my story”, you will get to know more about me, stay tuned for more)

As a young Christian, I have had to trust the Lord through the storm. One thing you may not know about me is that, I actually come from a Muslim family, not a Christian one. My Muslim family are very religious, and they take their faith seriously. I secretly got baptized without telling them, and became a Christian as a secret. My early years in this faith has been a bit difficult, because I can’t practice it freely. I think my family are finally catching on to what is going on, but there has been no official discussion with them yet. I think they will be very angry when they find out, but this is my calling. I remember the day that I got baptized like it happened yesterday. I was the quiet person in church who rarely ever spoke to anyone. I spoke to a lady once, and she told me that after that conversation I was on her mind the entire time since then. She wanted to get to know me, but I hid away from her because I was not ready to divulge my information to her. I was not sure whether I wanted to get baptized or not, but I knew that it was an essential part of Christianity. When the pastor mentioned that a baptism was occuring in church, I knew that it was my opportunity to get it done. Prior to that, I did not know where to get baptized or who to ask for help on the issue. When the pastor mentioned it, I saw it as an opportunity that God was presenting to me. The baptism happened in Church, I knew what time to get there, when, and what to wear, I had the information I needed, it was the right time. On my way to the church for baptism that day, I asked for God to send me a sign, I needed to know if that was his plan for me. When I got to the church, my name was the first name on the baptism list. God also confirmed his will for me in other ways, and I knew it was God’s plan, so I went ahead and did the needful. The pastor kept saying “there is no power in the water”, he advised us that what really baptizes us is our change of behavior and commitment to change. However, after getting dipped into the water, I felt different. My entire body felt empty, like someone emptied me from the inside out. I felt completely blank. I did not know if that was  a good or bad thing, but I took it as a symbol of a new beginning, and a blank page for a great new story.

Matthew 10:32

So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,

Psalm 71: 15 – 18

My mouth will tell of your righteous acts, of your deeds of salvation all the day, for their number is past my knowledge. With the mighty deeds of the Lord God I will come; I will remind them of your righteousness, yours alone. O God, from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds. So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.