To all who are interested, my name is Alpha and I completed my BA degree in Political Science and Criminology at the University of Toronto and am now doing my Master's degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (focusing on Refugee and Migration) at York University. Now that we are done with the formalities, let me tell you the story of why I wake up every morning.
When I think of my life, I think of a life of privilege. I have no story of God pulling me from the depths of sorrow and treachery nor was I ever on the verge of death and destruction before Christ swept me off my feet. Or at least that's what some would have me believe. I grew up pretty much my whole life in a born-again Christian home. A blessing, yes, but I would often envy those who had a miraculous story of Salvation. Those people who were deep in a life of drugs or contemplating suicide; surely those were the ones with something worth sharing about God's mercy and grace! However God has slowly revealed His truth to me and that truth is that my life is no less of a living testimony onto others than anyone else's. My mother often reminds me of how she used to take me to overnight prayers when I was a child and how I would sleep across the chairs right there in the service. Many who know me also remember my infamous days of solo performances in the church; an eight-year-old Canadian-born Habesha girl singing in Amharic oh how cute! So yes, I'm a homegrown church girl, but as many can empathize, this can lead to a less-than-exciting Christian life. When you grow up with Wednesday evening bible study and Friday night prayer, Saturday afternoon ministry and Sunday morning service, church can easily become nothing more than a routine, just going along for the ride.
This is where I go back to my story of salvation. You see, I was pulled out of the depths of sorrow and I was on the verge of death, for the verge of death is the thin line that separates the world from Christ. I hypothesize that some of the most hard-lined Atheists grew up in a Christian home and that many suicide victims were no strangers to Sunday morning services. My miraculous story begins the day that God made my religion more than a religion and one of a way of life. The details of this day make for a great hallelujah moment; I'm talking all the works: arms outstretched, tears flowing and everything. But one need only tune in to the TV on a Sunday morning to see these familiar images. What you need to know reading this is that that night God answered my prayer. I prayed to Him (and I quote) God give me something so that I may never doubt you again, and by the time He was done He had me shouting Oh my God you are sooo real. Kind of cheesy I know, but just think about it: If God is real (the all knowing, all loving, all able God) then how awesome is life? How privileged are we to be walking the earth created by such magnificent hands? Wouldnt you be shouting too?
In a world that wreaks havoc trying to make sense of everything, here I was, this fourteen-year-old Habesha girl with all the answers! So this is why I am the luckiest person in the world; because I have a reason (independent of my surrounding circumstances) to wake up every morning.
If you are reading this and don't have that kind of contentment in your life you've gotta try Jesus! In all honesty, God is the reason why I am alive and Christ's love is the reason why I am still breathing. Lets not get things twisted. I have my falls from glory too, but it's Gods word that has enabled me to rise from those falls with more strength each time.
For all of you who are going through what seems like the worst of all possible circumstances, I would plead for you to keep this scripture in your hearts. Paul (from the Bible) was going through some tough stuff himself and in 2 Corinthians 12:8 he said:
I begged the Lord about this, that it might leave me.
But listen to what God put into his heart:
But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness.
I don't know what is more profound, God's words or how Paul then responded:
I will rather boast most gladly of my weaknesses, in order that the power of Christ may dwell with me. Therefore, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and constraints, for the sake of Christ; for when I am weak, then I am strong.
The same God that has given me peace and happiness, the same one who did it for Paul all those years ago, He can give it to you too. God bless you!