It's Friday and time for another Life Change Inbox! I have been sharing some of the wonderful emails my husband gets, where people share the work God is doing in their lives through Elevation Church. Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 3:2-4 that our lives are living letters written so that God might be glorified.
Here is Ashley's story...
June 2010 was my absolute lowest point in life. I was 20 years old, 3 months away from being married and almost done with cosmetology school when everything changed; my fiancé called off our wedding. I've never been one to plan out a future or life with anyone; getting my hopes up was not something I ever did so as you could imagine, I was devastated.
The next day he went on a rant saying he was no longer in love with me, attracted to me, or cared for me and he wanted to call off the wedding and the relationship. He listed about 15 flaws that I have or bad habits I possess as reasons I'd never be good enough to be anyone's wife. Those words never left me.. I went into a deep depression, feeling like I would never be good enough so what's the point in even trying? I had disappointed so many people and lost so many friends because of my relationship with him and I felt it was all in vain. I started looking for love and acceptance anywhere I could find it. Hooking up with random guys, both good and bad boys, just to prove myself. The feeling of emptiness was still very much there. I hadn't been single in 5 years and to be honest, I didn't know how to be happy without a boyfriend.
I started going to Elevation Church about a month ago and for the first time in as long as I can remember, I felt important. I came by myself and was greeted as soon as I walked up by a guy named Caleb at the University location. He walked me all the way through and explained all about Code Orange Revival. Usually I'm the quiet one in church, sitting off to myself avoiding the part where the preacher says, "Now shake 5 people's hands!" But something inside of me was different. I wasn't afraid to talk to people. I wasn't afraid to cry. I wasn't afraid to lift my hands and sing as loud as I could. I was totally broken, totally empty.
After that first service something changed in me. I started looking forward to Sunday's. I wanted to get involved and meet people. I found the love I had been searching for...it was God's love. I found God's love at Elevation Church. For the first time since June 2010, I've been able to go to sleep without crying, because the most important love of my life will never leave me, never forsake me and never reject me. He loves me regardless of my past. He forgives me when he knows I'll sin again. The love of God is something incomparable to any worldly love, and quite frankly, I'm glad for it. My life is in the hands of Christ. Everything I've been through has brought me this much closer to Jesus Christ and even though it was probably the biggest form of rejection I'll ever have to face, I wouldn't change a thing. In the end, my heart is just where it should be...in the hands of God. ...and that's my better story.
Ashley
This is a truly beautiful story! This is what Elevation is all about!!! :-D
Posted by: Keirstin | March 10, 2012 at 11:23 AM