CALLED TO WITNESS

We’re called to witness, but what does that mean? Especially in a world that ridicules faith and diminishes God’s Word?

My recovery journey began almost a decade ago. In the beginning, I coveted my healing. I was newly reborn, learning to navigate this new life. I was hesitant to talk about it, even with those closest to me. Partly because my words held little meaning to those I’d injured repeatedly, and partly because I was afraid. I remained quiet in my surrender, shying away from the call to witness.

The first test.

Then, the unthinkable happened. Hurricane Michael hit my home in the Florida Panhandle seven months into my recovery journey. Hurricane Michael was a Category 5 storm, and the devastation was widespread and horrific.

This was my first test.

As the weeks and months following the storm passed, my confidence grew. I did not return to the bottle or my eating disorder. I did not try to escape.

Instead, I remained in God’s Word and prayed daily for continued deliverance. God remained faithful, providing strength and assurance as I navigated my new life, both physically and spiritually.

But I did it quietly. Much of my family didn’t even know I’d been in the hospital. I kept my world small, but began to witness.

I had to. Because with God’s help, I’d passed the test. I was overjoyed. The worst had happened, and rather than returning to the familiar, I continued moving forward in faith.

I answered the call.

Slowly, I began sharing my journey. I’d been writing daily. Filling my journals with poetry, things I was learning from Scripture, and most importantly, my gratitude.

Central to all of it was my unwavering belief that without God, my recovery would’ve never been possible. More than anything, I wanted to make that conviction known.

I knew what addiction felt like. Knew what it was to battle an eating disorder and body dysmorphia. I knew what it meant to live in darkness. To be paralyzed by shame. I could speak confidently about the emptiness that filled my soul. And yes, that was a doorway to connection. To reach those still in the fight.

But it wasn’t the answer.

God was.

And that’s what I was called to witness. That through God’s grace and mercy, I was not only healed, but I was whole.

Relinquishing the masks.

I didn’t take this responsibility lightly. And there were times I questioned going down this path at all. Did I really want to put all my skeletons on display? There was so much ugliness in my story.

There was also the question of whether I was doing this for God’s glory or my own. That was the big one.

I prayed about this constantly. Lord, give me the words, show me where I’m needed. Don’t allow me to make my story another identity, but rather a tool to bring glory to You.

I’d created so many identities in my old life. Worn so many masks. I could not make this another one.

I relied on God to show me the way. To provide me with the courage, wisdom, and humility to witness and to serve Him.

The true test.

I’d lived over three decades of my life in despair. Fighting the battles on my own. Relying on my own strength, believing I was in control.

I now knew exactly where that path led.

To nowhere.

At least nowhere I wanted to be.

I’d read many recovery stories. About the turning points and struggles. About relapses and defeat. I saw pieces of myself in everyone. But I also saw what was missing in many of them.

God.

I knew He was the reason. The only reason I was succeeding. The only reason I was whole.

The true test would be remaining steadfast in that conviction, knowing not everyone I encountered would feel the same or even understand.

But that was not my fight. It too was God’s.

My task was to witness. To share my story of deliverance without shame. To remain faithful and trusting, no matter how my words landed. God would do the rest. In His timing and for His purpose.

There’s peace in that.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up, Galatians 6:9

God brings us through our trials for a reason.

We’re called to witness, not for our own glory, but for His. To use our stories, trials, and victories to honor Him.

We belong to Him.

We’re His hands and feet in a world that ridicules faith.

We shine His light in the darkness.

Deliver His Word to a world in desperate need of His grace.

That’s the call.

And God provides us with all we need to answer.

You belong to the Father,

are words Jesus shared,

before ascending to GLORY,

to the THRONE God prepared.

The seat at His RIGHT HAND,

for the SON He had given,

that the world would know MERCY,

that our sins are FORGIVEN.

You belong to the FATHER,

not to this world,

in remembrance of Me,

hold fast to God’s WORD.

Keep His COMMANDMENTS,

Remember all I have spoken.

Gather the lost,

minister to the broken.

Reveal, in My NAME,

the pathway to SALVATION,

that He is the TRUE God,

the AUTHOR of CREATION.

Though now I return,

to be with My Father,

do not despair,

I will send another.

The SPIRIT of TRUTH,

will descend upon you,

to defend and protect,

guiding all that you do.

You are my DISCIPLES,

those whom I have CHOSEN,

to deliver My PROMISE,

into every nation.

For all who BELIEVE,

I have made a place,

beside Me forever,

on the THRONE of God’s GRACE.

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