Nuts and Bolts

One day, after hearing from my seminary professor that it was not being labeled as "mentally ill" that would define me, knowing that I was a sinner and that Jesus came to save sinners. Instantly, my view of myself changed, from despair to a right feeling of Jesus Christ, with life-giving hope that led me to worship the God of the Bible. While looking up to heaven and praying one day, I heard in a small soft voice from my Lord, "You are going to help women." After seminary training, I heard that same quiet voice, lay on my heart the words from Jeremiah 29:11, "I know the plans I have for you, . . . plans for wholeness and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." (ESV) About 25 years later, I can testify with Paul from Philippians 3:8-9, "I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith." (ESV) I believe, I trust and obey as a woman of God, who is the only author of permanent change. I have never been sorry that I followed my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Rather, I am filled with the Spirit of joy and gratitude, fully surrendered to God.