Elizabeth Brooks
I grew up in a name-brand church and was there every time the door was open. I was trying on my own power to be a “good person.” There were many idols in my life but the main one was tennis. I was on the court 5 hours a day, 7 days a week – tennis was my God. I was living for myself and for tennis.
In 1996 I injured my elbow and could no longer play tennis –which produced a definite void in my life. I began to try to fill it by doing some volunteer work for Dan Hayes, who needed some typing done as he launched ACM. I found myself surrounded by people who had the love of Christ in them, and I began to realize that something was missing in my life.
God led me to a class on “How to Share Christ Relationally” which Dan was teaching, and he prompted me to answer the question, “What is your purpose in life?” He then led me to a prayer seminar led by Becky Tirabassi. It was evident that she was in love with Jesus Christ and that He was her best friend -- I knew I wanted what she had.
I prayed to receive Christ the next morning and when I finished I got chills all over my body. I knew that God had heard every word, that He was very real and that He cared. I began to read the Bible, and the words seemed to jump off the page, were full of love, and seemed to be speaking directly to me. There was no doubt I had found a personal relationship with the Creator of the universe.
The excitement that I felt about this new relationship was overwhelming, and I begin to tell everybody I knew about this change in my life. God began to give me power to do things I never dreamed I could do such as writing and public speaking. He began to change my heart, my desires, and the hearts of people around me for whom I was praying – all things I knew I couldn’t do on my own power.
I am so thankful that God showed me the difference in religion (trying to be good on my own power without love) and a loving relationship through which He offers His power, love and peace to us. I’m so happy to be in love with the most exciting Person who ever existed!
