Samuel S

My earliest childhood memories recall living with my grandparents in Kenya. My cousin and I enjoyed working on my grandparents’ farm, which taught me a lot about animals and rural life. I later discovered that my mum had conceived me while attending college and had to leave me in the care of her parents until she graduated.

After my parents graduated from college, we relocated to a different city. I started going to school and making new friends, including a new set of family members – my dad’s extended family. Life was so fun with this new and bigger family. One common activity was that almost everyone went to the same church. It became a Godly beginning as I followed through with my cousins, uncles and aunts.

It turned out that this church is now my local church to this very day. I started going to Sunday school and progressed through every age group level until I joined the youth group. In hindsight I noticed that I went to church as a routine. Everybody was going and I had to join them. I do not regret doing so because the many church activities during my primary school vacations kept me very busy and out of trouble. I surely thank God for this.

The Godly family that God gave me greatly influenced my character. Everyone contributed in shaping me and teaching me the fear of God. As time went by, God blessed my parents and soon enough I had two siblings. As the first-born son, I had to lead by example, and I made sure we were not late for Sunday school. When I reached high school age, I left my family for the very first time to attend a boarding school. This came as a shock and elicited mixed feelings; how do I suddenly relate to other students who were total strangers? 

Fast forward to a point in my life where I experienced the true meaning of salvation. I joined a community of believers in what is known as the Christian Union. This group organized various meetings and activities that engaged our young lives. The Christion Union patrons and the many ministers of the word of God led me to Christ, and it totally changed my life. I was born again, and my life turned around. 

In this same period, I listened to many confessions as students repented their sins and, for some reason, I thought that I had given God a very easy time in saving me. I even thought that I had not met the threshold that warrants true salvation. At some point I contemplated becoming a bad boy and engaging in sin so that when I got saved, I would have a proper repentance story. I thank God because the devil did not win this battle. I was surrounded with friends and family and there was no chance to deviate and back slide. Over time I have matured in my faith in Christ. I did not waste my life in drugs and unhealthy relationships. My life is a true testimony that God does direct his people. He has been my guide in everything. This day I wish to testify to all those who are still in doubt: there is hope to those who trust in Jesus. Proverbs 3:5-8 tells us how God wants us to live.

God is telling us that he does exist, and he wants us to trust in him. God has laid out great plans for each of us and, if we follow his instructions, we will realize our true purpose in life. God is telling us not to try to figure out everything on our own. We will be faced with many life decisions; however, there is one decision that will stand. God’s character is that of a father of mercy. If we follow our own intellect and wisdom, we will perish. But God has offered to direct our paths.

Search your heart today and pray to God. Ask him to enter your life and guide you and you will never regret, nor lack for God’s blessings.