The more we let God take over, the more ourselves we become..

We all have different stories in this life. We all go through something, we are all raised differently, and we all have a different testimony and way of becoming a believer. For me, I was not raised in a God, worshipping home. I did not even know the basic stories of the bible.

I became a believer through a traumatic season in my life. I did not have any hope left and was ready to leave this earth. But then, on one of my darkest nights, when I thought my life was ending, I saw the light and hope of Jesus Christ. His plans were going to be good for my future, and He revealed that to me. God’s love flooded my heart in that season of my life and  I will always be thankful to God for saving my life.

Since that time, He has brought me inexplicable joy, love, and abundant faith in Him. It was not easy the way I became a believer, but maybe that was the way it was supposed to happen. The path I was on was rough and that is an understatement. Although, it led me to Jesus. So I wouldn’t change it.

No matter how we, believers, come to know God, the significant thing is we believe.

For me, one of the most beautiful and significant ways I like to worship God and have learned about Him, is through music.

My first christian song I heard was, Before the Morning, by Josh Wilson. This music was not like any other genre of music. Something is highly unique about it. It is positive, gives you hope, and like it did for me, has the ability to change a life around. God uses this harmonic music to speak to us and turn things around, whether be a bad day or a bad season. This music is powerful enough if you are listening to it alone in your car. But heard in person, with thousands of people, now that is POWERFUL.

I have attended three concerts with christian music. My first two concerts were the Newsboys, which were out of this world inspiring and amazing to experience. Then my most recent concert I went to was Tenth Avenue North and MercyMe. Every time I attend these concerts, I am in awe of everyone in one room worshipping Jesus, raising their hands in praise, and how much these songs can have an impact on our hearts in our faith walk in life, through the ups and downs. 

God knows the languages we speak and how to communicate to us. For me, it has always been through music. When I would be going through a difficult season, I would go in my car and drive around with K Love on. I feel God spoke to my heart with these songs. Certain songs would always come on when I needed them most, and I know that was not a coincidence.

At the Mercy Me concert, Tenth Avenue North opened for them and I was equally excited to see them because a lot of their songs were ones I would turn on and they provided such comfort for me during tough seasons. As they started to sing, I was so excited to hear those familiar songs that helped grow my faith, in the past. I thought listening to these songs in my car were powerful, but wow was I wrong!! Hearing them in person was out of this world amazing!

The lead singer eventually made his way into the crowd and I was actually on the floor on the end and he ran up to me and sang to me for a second and grabbed my hand. I feel like a total fan girl at these concerts. I feel like one of those little girls that see Backstreet Boys or Justin Bieber for the first time haha! It just felt so surreal for me. I used to cry to these songs in my car at my lowest points and now I was at their concert and he grabbed my hand while singing the lyrics right to my face. I know that they did not know me personally or know what their songs meant to me but it felt very personal for me. I felt in that moment that my faith had come full circle. It is hard to explain but I felt so much peace and God’s presence there.

There was another significant moment that happened at the concert as well. As Mercy Me started singing their songs, I was singing along and enjoying the music. But like always, listening and singing christian songs, is a way of worship for me. I like to think of it as I am singing to God and thanking Him for all He is in my life. As I was singing, “It is well with my soul”, from the song “Even If”, and raising my hands to the heavens, I felt the most authentic me I have ever felt in my life.

I recently stumbled across a quote from C.S Lewis. It read: “The more we let God take us over, the more truly ourselves we become”…

The first time I read it, I didn’t understand it completely, because I had not felt it completely. But after that concert, I felt it more than ever how true it was. I felt I was unashamed, made pure in Him, and the Holy Spirit working, while worshipping that night. Like, I was always supposed to become the woman I was that night. It was a moment I will never forget and if I stumble, I will always go back to it.

Have you ever had any of those life changing moments in your faith? If so, I would love to hear them.

I thought I would add a list of some of my favorite songs that have encouraged me and helped me get through some difficult seasons in my life. Hope you enjoy them, touch your heart, and point you to Jesus as much as they have for me!

Tenth Avenue North

You are more

Strong Enough to Save

Healing begins

David Crowder Band

SMS- Shine

Sanctus Real

Promises

Hawk Nelson

Words

Drops in the Ocean

MercyMe

Beautiful

Dear Younger Me

I Can Only Imagine

Hope you all have a blessed weekend!

All for Jesus,

Steph