I also wrote a testimony for the baptism.
From the beginning, everyone around me knew that I had a rebellious streak. The story was that I came out of the womb with a curly-headed mess of hair and a hyperactive way of doing things. It was easy to see that I was an offspring of Adam and I followed after the same story line- I was a sinner.
At the age of seven my biological sister Rachel and I had begun going to a Christian school because she had been experiencing bullying by her classmates. I believe as of this day, that this was the beginning of what we would call a series of divine experiences that propelled me into understanding of Jesus, the story of his redemption for mankind and the Kingdom of God. Long story short, I had confessed Jesus as Lord, had an experience in speaking in tongues. And these experiences kept me believing in God but not understanding that I had to become an active participant in helping to fulfill his will in my life.
In high school, I entered into the world of peer pressure and begun drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and not fulfilling God's will in my life in any way. I had gotten to the point where I had been more motivated by other people's opinions of me and not knowing how toxic it was. I was also getting deceived by other people's philosophies as well and straying from the Lord's word. I began to look at life as alot of 'grey areas' and that there could be no divine truth, in contrast to what God has shown me in the previous years of my life. I was also compromising my convictions and becoming very cynical and I had gotten to the point where I was more happy communicating with people who saw negativity as the way of looking at the world, instead of how Jesus did.
Then there came the God-shaped void everyone came talking about. I had begun a way of fulfilling what my flesh wanted instead of my spirit and I sought after every direction but God.
Then I quit everything, everyone, and just sat in my room for a year or two and just started reading his word. It was the best decision of my life!
I was feeling an absolute tug from God, I wanted to quit my sins. Then he began showing me what the Gospel message really meant. What his dying on the cross, resurrection, and his grace meant. I became one under his grace and out of the law. I experienced the power of his resurrection and the kingdom of God!
God emptied me, and filled me.
Ezekiel 36:26-27
Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.27 "I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will be careful to observe My ordinances.