Shem Reyes

Testimony Of A Mexican

My name is Shem Reyes, I used to be a CYF member.  For my whole life I considered myself to be Christian.  Though I believed in the gospel, I was living in the world.  In case you don't get what I mean by "the world", I mean I was living in the standards of the modern world and not according to the gospel.

I thought that if I believed that Christ was the Son of God sent to die on the cross for my salvation I would be ok.  While it is true that if you confess with your mouth you shall be saved, I still felt empty.  I had stopped going to church at about age 10 or so (maybe sooner) and had all but forgotten about my faith.  It wasn't until my dad decided to return to church that I began to wonder if I was missing something.  I was never truly happy or content with my life.  I was constantly feeling alone.

Then my dad took me to a wrestling show.  This wasn't out of the ordinary since wrestling is a favorite form of entertainment at my house.  After we came home he told me that since he took me to see wrestling he wanted me to go to church with him the next week.  Sunday came and went, but I still felt the same.  The following week I didn't want to wake up early to go to church so I told him I was feeling sick.  For the rest of the day I felt a little guilty, but not enough to say something to my dad.

The next week was Easter, so like most Christian and Catholic families on either Christmas or Easter attending church was a must.  I was the only one however who went with my dad.  That day things changed.  As my pastor spoke his words were louder than any I'd ever heard.  They were aimed at me.  At the end of service, they did the usual alter call.  I stayed in my seat because I didn't want to go up in front of everyone.  Then the pastor said the words I needed to hear.  He said, "The only thing holding you back is pride.  Don't leave here with out accepting the Lord if you feel him knocking at the door to your heart."  With those words I stepped over the laps and legs of the people in my row as everyone applauded.  I stood before the pastor with tears in my eyes because I knew that everything was going to be fine.

More and more people joined me and one of the men sitting in the front came to stand with us.  He was already saved, but one by one he came to reassure us.  I confessed with my mouth that Jesus Christ died for me on the cross so that I might have eternal life and that He rose from the grave. At that very moment I felt a calming feeling over my body like nothing I'd ever known.  From then on I noticed that prayers I had prayed long before were being answered.  The bible says that all the desire of your heart will be given to you.  For me that was true.  I had been lonely for so long, but now the Lord was bringing new people into my life.  True, I did lose some friends for a brief period, but it was my decision to leave them.

My best friend didn't believe that I could change from the way I used to be.  So I stopped talking to him until I felt that I was strong enough in the word and understood the Lord better.  When I did, we all of a sudden began talking as if we'd never stopped.  Now we're closer than ever.  Also, I met an entirely new person.  She's like no one I've ever met.  Remember how I talked about getting all the desires of your heart. In this person I see all the desires of my heart.  I've never been as absolutely positive of God existence as I am now.  He's shown me the work He's done in my life.  Now I have purpose because I want to show everyone else as well.

I have faith because He has proved for me.  I can't even list all the ways I've been blessed.  I could write about them forever.  I haven't even begun to describe how grateful I am. None of these things have been vague either.  They've all been straight forward with no room for argument.  God has worked his will in my life and made me a better person.  I live now to serve him.  Yes, I do at times slip, but everyone does.  He always is forgiving because I am His son.

If you are reading this and feel as thought it's speaking to you then I urge you to look into it deeper.  I'll close with one of my favorite songs:

Dogwood: Never Die

Faith like a rock the size of a seed

Eternal life it's all you need

Work your will my life is yours Rejoice in you Lord.

My faith in You will never die

Live fast, die slow

Stand back, let go

Choose life, You'll see

How awesome it is when God sets you free

Forever I trust in you

--Shem Reyes