In His Likeness w/ AntTBri

We all have defining moments, moments that change, alter, and transform our way of thinking, doing, and living. I’d like to share one of mines in hopes of inspiring a deeper discussion or dialogue in our attempts to live and love in His likeness together as a lifestyle. I received the Lord Jesus into my life when I was eleven turning twelve. After tarrying for the evidence of the Holy Spirit for some time, He manifested in my life in a demonstrative way before I turned thirteen. He was there the moment I accepted Jesus Christ as my savior (but that’s another discussion). Having grown up in a sanctified church, I can’t tell you how many times I went to the altar to repeat the sinner’s prayer only to return the very next week.  This time was different because I really believed God wanted me to come to Him. At that young age I heard His appeal to my heart. I have been hearing His appeal ever since.

I’ve never been the same or should I say I’ve been different ever since. Reading the Word has always appealed to me.  I’d rather read the bible than play outside or watch television. I loved going to church and talking about God. I still remember the first time the scriptures came alive for me.  I was reading St. John 14 “Let not your heart be troubled”.  I was so excited, ecstatic even. The Word still creates the same chase after God within me.  What changed? I began to hear, see, feel, and become one with the Word. God was talking to me…telling me of His love for me…showing me how I fit into His plan. The Word made sense in a way life as I knew and experienced it didn’t…it brought clarity to my confusion and misconceptions. The very next thing I read was when Solomon asked God for wisdom and understanding. You guessed it that too became my hearts request before the Lord. So while my brothers and sister, cousins and friends was  were playing I was praying and preaching to them. Boy did they avoid me (lol). I don’t do that now…I play and wait for my opportunity to interject something beneficial into our dialogue.

After which I began finding ways to communicate the message of hope I understood or gleaned from studying the bible because I saw they were never going to willing choose Him. I began to find ways to give them Jesus on their terms.  So when I learned of Him I found a way to repackage the truth so they could get it to. The whole preaching thing was definitely just for church and for the most part they slept or was paying attention to what the preacher was saying.  So I taught them through the games we played, the things we learned at school and the stories or letters I wrote to them person or topic specific. To my mother’s surprise, I began hosting these prayer meetings when she was at work. She would come home to a house full of kids reading the bible, praying, singing and most times eating her food (I love to cook).  For some reason I’ve always wanted to share what I’m blessed to understand or know about God without regurgitating scripture or stuffing Jesus down any ones throat.

I want others to experience and know God because He is my defining factor.  In a perfect world the words would come out effortlessly, people would easily understand, grasp their need of a personal relationship with the one true living God without the aid of written or spoken Words.  This is not a perfect world as of yet, and there are many learning curves, styles of inquisition and delivery. I love writing letters, scripting prayers, discussions…that allow people to come to their own conclusion, conviction, and choice unto growing their relationship with God.  Maybe it will assist, help, trigger, or prompt ones desire to live and love God, themselves, and others in His likeness with me.  If so, the moment they connect with the message of my scripting they began a lifelong journey in becoming the purposed person God wills them to be.