Nothing's Quite So Precious, Rachel Pope

My testimony is not outwardly phenomenal. Growing up in the local church, I have found it difficult to pinpoint the exact time when I first believed in Christ. I have come to realize that even though my salvation did not seem to amazingly change my life (at the time), every time the Lord saves someone--no matter how--it is indeed a phenomenon.

The Lord has graciously arranged my life in every detail. At times, I don't understand why God allowed me to be born into the local church. I feel so fortunate to be in an atmosphere that is so healthy and proper for my human living. The only way I can explain it is God's mercy. One of my favorite hymns states, “It's nothing I do, His mercy's just upon me and God's free gift of grace becomes an endless joy to me.”

Sometimes I ask, “How is it that the Lord chose me? I definitely do not deserve this.” But the Lord loves all of us so much that He has no choice but to be so merciful. It is the Lord's mercy that has caused His life to be so real to me that I have no need to question Him. I don't have to go searching for Him throughout religion. He has already done everything! I just have to appreciate this fact and love Him.

There are times when I get frustrated with other kids my age who do not have the same outlook or appreciation of the Lord, but the Lord always reminds me that it takes time to know Him. Everyone just needs to have a simple experience of Him, just a simple relationship with Him. All a person has to do is open to Him. Since I let Him into my life, it was never the same. This is when I came to realize the meaning of life: just to contain Christ and express His life. The more real He is to me, the more I see this. There are many other believers--young and old--who have seen this, and there is so much more that I have yet to see. It is so precious to be with these believers. When we are blended together, we can grow in Christ so much. Especially after spending the day in school, an atmosphere which neglects the Lord so much, it is so sweet and refreshing to be with others who contain the life of God.

I just pray that the Lord will keep all of us that He has saved, that we would accept His love and mercy. One of my favorite quotes from Witness Lee is this: “Give yourself to love the Lord. No other way is so prevailing, and no other way is so safe, so rich, and so full of enjoyment. Just love Him. Do not care for anything else” (Life and Building as Portrayed in the Song of Songs, p. 24).