My Life & Testimony

2 Cor 12:9-10 But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

The story of my life seemed to be predestined. At a young age I was plagued with thoughts of homosexuality. The name-calling and torment of my youth, cast upon me by peers, blurred and scared my early 20’s. As a young adult I began to explore a homosexual lifestyle rich in alcohol and drug abuse, relationship promiscuity, and a widening gap between God and I. For years my life was completely immersed in the vanity of this world. I was solely interested in looking my best, and being in the company of those with power, money, and sexual magnetism. I compromised my morals and beliefs to obtain status and popularity. I found myself at the end of my rope, lost and in desperate need of a savior. Recalling the biblical teachings of my youth and praying that I had not distanced myself to far from redemption in Christ, I began to pray again, attend church services again, and read my bible again, but I remained resistant to changing my homosexual behaviors and found short-lived comfort in fellowship. Sunday mornings I would attend church often times not recalling what the message was about hours later. And in the evenings I would get dressed up and head out to places that darkness dwelt and wickedness thrived. For months I lived two very different lives very openly. Many believers lifted me in prayer as I remained at the end of my rope in desperate need of a savior. Five months ago I attended a Christian conference that spoke specifically to homosexuality and God’s clear call to all believers. It was there that I was met by the Lord and freed from my resistance. “The opposite of homosexuality is not heterosexuality it’s HOLINESS,” a quote from the conference that will stay with me for eternity. I began to believe and live my life given that God is bigger than my desire for unhealthy relationships and my escapism through drugs and alcohol. It was during that conference that I was given a choice… Was I going to return to my empty ways of seeking fulfillment and finding heartache? Or was I going to lay down my burden and trust God to deliver me from my emptiness? That night I cried out to the Lord for deliverance from my burden and God met me in my brokenness. Everyday since I was humbled before the cross God has provided renewed strength daily. Daily he equips me to fight a battle against Satan. Where I would otherwise have been compelled and helpless to submitting to sin I now submit to the Lord and his strength is made perfect in my weakness. 2 Cor 12:9-10 God doesn’t promise that he will take away our appetite but He does promise that he will satisfy it righteously. Renowned Christian author, John Piper wrote: contentment of faith does not put an end to our hunger, weariness, or sexual appetite. It does transform the way we go about satisfying those desires. Faith doesn't stop us from eating but it stops gluttony; it doesn't stop sleep but it keeps us from being a sluggard. It doesn't stop sexual appetite but it keeps us from being enslaved to our sexual desires or any desire for that matter. God didn’t promise that he would remove my desire in homosexuality, which caused me to act in disobedience, but He has provided strength to crucify my flesh daily, grace to cover my imperfections, healthy non-sexual relationships with other Godly men and a heart of worship to better serve God the Father. I share with you today as a redeemed child of God free from the bondage of sin available to me through the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ.