Testimony
From Despair to Hope
Jenn Smith
Last summer (2023) I was in despair over the state of the world. I concluded that satan was running this place, and I felt hopeless. The moment I acknowledged this; another thought occurred to me. If I believed satan existed, why didn’t I truly believe in God, and for the first time in my life, I took a step toward the Lord.
Shortly after, a flyer for a Gospel tent near our home found its way to me. I handed that flyer to my husband Scott, who was equally lost and said, “I know this is out of the blue, but maybe we can find the hope we need here.” We went to the last night and heard the Gospel for the first time. We spoke with encouraging Christians and went home filled with curiosity. We talked about it all night, wondering if this was all real, and did we finally find the truth?
In the morning Scott shared his testimony with me, how he received the Holy Spirit and the confirmation that Lord Jesus is the way, the truth and the life. That afternoon I repented of my sins and turned to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ for the safe keeping of my soul.
Life from that day has been completely different, and the graciousness of our Lord will never cease to amaze me. I was seeking truth, which He poured into me, but He also took away the despair. I was seeking peace, and He filled me with it, but He also gave me a purpose. I was seeking community, and He gave me a family.
Right after being saved, I was out on a river when I felt the Lord tell me to get back to the shore right away. After 20 minutes of effort, I came across a group baptism and knew I was called to take this step outdoors.
On May 25th, 2024 I was baptized to publicly declare my identity in Christ. I pray this is an encouragement and if there is someone reading this who doesn’t yet know the love of our Lord, that they might find hope in Christ for themselves and witness the joy of Christian fellowship.
For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God
1 John 5: 3-4