At eight years old I wore my pants up way too high, rocked some cool rolled over socks and had a super short haircut.
It’s also when I decided to make Jesus Lord of my life.
I remember it was springtime. The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun was shining. There was a slight breeze, and the birds were chirping. I was outside with my mom and dad planting flowers in the flower beds. I don’t remember exactly what I said, but I started asking questions about God and eternity. My mom asked if I wanted Jesus to be Lord of my life and I said yes! She had my dad come over, we knelt in the flower bed, and they led me through a prayer that would forever change my life. I acknowledged that I had sinned and that only by the blood of Jesus Christ, who died for my sins, could I be saved. I asked for Him to come into my heart and be Savior of my life. I became a new creation as we were planting new flowers in God’s creation. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17
Right away I wanted to call my grandparents to tell them about my decision. I was so excited! I vividly remember telling them that I felt so light...like a butterfly!
I think back on that day and smile at my childlike faith, oblivious to the ups and downs life would inevitably throw at me. One of those down times came when I was in college. I had just returned from a summer abroad in Guatemala and was starting my junior year at a Christian college. What I had experienced in Guatemala had shaken me and challenged my worldview. I started questioning everything about my faith and decided that if I didn’t know why I did something – like read my Bible, pray, go to church, etc. – I wasn’t going to do it. This was tricky since chapel was mandatory three times a week, and I ironically was taking an evangelism and global outreach class. I went through the motions of those commitments but didn’t really participate. I was angry, resentful, and restless. I wanted answers to some of life’s big questions and they were not easy to find.
I continued to wrestle with my faith and the summer after college graduation, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next, but God had a plan. The next thing He had in mind for me was an eight-month mission trip to Venezuela that came with ten weeks of discipleship training beforehand. I remember wondering how that was going to work. “I don’t really know what I believe, but sure let’s make a yearlong commitment to a Christian organization…” But, spoiler alert, God knew what He was doing. I started the discipleship training with a bad attitude, but soon found that my big questions were welcomed and encouraged. I felt free to express the heavy ponderings weighing down my heart. And slowly God began to take my anger, resentment and restlessness and exchanged them for peace. I didn’t have all the answers – I still don’t – and there wasn’t a big moment of re-commitment or an emotional re-dedication. It was a gradual change, but I came out the other side with my faith intact, albeit a faith that looked and felt different. It was a faith that was authentic and raw. For the first time my faith wasn’t my parent’s or friends’ – it was my own.
If you find yourself with questions and doubts, don’t shy away from them. Don’t ignore them or shove them down. Bring them to God. Talk about them with a Godly mentor or pastor. You aren’t alone, and you’ll soon find that as you express what you’re wrestling with, God will meet you where you are. Your faith will become more genuine. There’s a freedom in that and it’s powerful.
There are many more stories I could share, but this gives you a glimpse into my faith journey.
In closing, here are a few of my favorite verses that I go to as I experience all of life’s mountains and valleys. I hope they encourage you today.
It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. (Gal 5:1)
Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory are being transformed into his likeness with every increasing glory, which comes from the Lord. (2 Cor.3:17-18)
For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Rom 8:38-39)
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions. (Psalm 103:11-12)
ABOUT OUR BLOGGER
Danielle (Dani) Rupp grew up in a small town in Ohio and is a true Buckeye fan, though she tries not to be obnoxious about it. In 2011 she came to PA to earn her Master of Social Work degree. After graduation Dani accepted a position as a mental health therapist for children and adolescents in Coatesville. She was a nanny for several years as well. During that time she lived in Kennett Square and attended Willowdale Chapel. She returned several years ago from South Asia where she learned to tolerate spicy food and cross the roads without being hit, as well as volunteered with International Justice Mission in their Aftercare Department. In her free time, Dani enjoys going on mission trips/traveling, running, reading, and connecting with loved ones—preferably over coffee and a sweet treat.
WOMEN’S SPRING MINI-SESSION
Thursday April 27, May 4 and May 11 , 6:30 - 8:30 pm, Kennett Campus
The world is coming at us at a breakneck speed…events on the news, endless social media and information is available at the push of a button. Our days are busy with families, friends, careers, and the endless lists of things to do. Our hearts long to simplify, declutter and find joy in our Shepherd – the One who is ALL that we need.
Whether you missed attending IF:2023, an incredible women’s conference, or you attended the event and would like to experience more, join us for three Thursday evenings this spring – April 27, May 4 and May 11. Listen to amazing speakers and dive deep into discussion with other women. Rally around the fact that GOD is who we need!
Sessions will include the best breakout speakers not viewed at our IF:2023 event in Kennett and the best of the regular sessions that attendees would benefit from viewing again. All sessions are free and there is no homework. We just ask that you register so we know you're coming!